United Nations General Secretary Ban Ki-moon arrived in Kathmandu on a two-day visit to Friday evening. Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav and Minister for Tourism Hishila Yami reached Tribhuwan International Airport to receive Ki-moon.
Ki-moon did not speak with journalists at the airport but told FM Yadav he was amazed by the number of journalists gathered there.
Subsequently, he will meet with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' at Singhdurbar to discuss about the peace process. He will also attend dinner hosted by PM Dahal in his honour at Hotel Yak and Yeti.
Earlier, Chief of United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) Ian Martin, ambassador of South Korea to Nepal, senior government officials, foreign diplomats and security personnel were also present at the airport to welcome Ki-moon, who flew here on a special flight of UN.
Nepal Army has been given the responsibility for security of the UNSG while staying in Nepal. Security situation in TIA and along the route to his residence in Hotel Radisson has been tightened.
On Saturday morning, he will meet with president Dr. Ram Baran Yadav, foreign minister Upendra Yadav and president of main opposition party Nepali Congress, Girija Prasad Koirala.
He will also meet with the members of Constituent Assembly (CA) at the International Convention Center following which he will address a press conference.
The Secretary General will then visit Lumbini, the birthplace of lord Buddha before flying to Dhaka, Bangladesh.
He is the fifth UN SG to visit Nepal after U Thant, Kurt Waldheim, Javier Perez de Cuellar and Kofi Annan. nepalnews.com sd/ia Oct 31 08
