A top UN official has appealed for 'swift and orderly' release of the 2,973 Maoist army personnel identified as minors during a verification process completed in 2007.

"These children have a right to start their lives anew and help to build a peaceful and prosperous Nepal. The United Nations and its partners stand ready to provide support and assistance for their successful rehabilitation into Nepali society," said Radhika Coomaraswamy, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, in a release issued Wednesday.

The Special Representative also welcomed the re-launching of the discharge and rehabilitation process for Maoist army personnel identified as minors today following earlier conversations with the Prime Minster Madhav Kumar Nepal and the Unified Communist Party of Nepal - Maoist (UCPN-M) Chairman, Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

Coomaraswamy noted that the Maoist Chairman had given her assurances that the discharge and orderly rehabilitation of the remaining Maoist minors in the cantonments would proceed immediately.

She called on all parties to ensure that the process proceeds smoothly and is completed at the earliest in compliance with international standards.

Coomaraswamy also said she is looking forward to visiting Nepal in the coming weeks to personally witness the discharge of these minors. nepalnews.com