President Ram Baran Yadav held crucial discussions with Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) Gen. Chatraman Singh Gurung on the progress made in the important task of completing the army integration on Thursday.

In the meeting held at the President's Office, Shital Niwas, the President inquired about the details of Nepal Army (NA) chief Gurung's latest proposal on army integration which the Maoists leaders have reportedly termed as "positive".

In the report, the NA chief has mentioned that 6,000 combatants could be integrated into the NA en masse and that around 60 PLA personnel could be given the post of 'Major' while 350 more could be given officer posts below Major.

During the meeting, the President expressed happiness that the Army showed such flexibility in completing the army integration process, it is learnt.

The meeting that was termed 'regular briefing' comes two days after Gen. Gurung reportedly submitted the proposal in his meeting with Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai after 7,200 former Maoist combatants opting for voluntary retirement scheme evacuated 28 cantonments and satellite camps and some 6,500 former combatants are awaiting integration in Nepal Army. nepalnews.com