Nepal turmoil 'won't prevent peace'

The political turmoil that has rocked Nepal in recent weeks will not stop its peace process from moving forward, the country’s prime minister has said.

Madhav Kumar Nepal, whose coalition government has been all but paralysed by Maoist strikes and internal bickering since he came to power last month, said he expected the peace process and the new constitution to be completed by the May 2010 deadline.

The government “has extended its hand of co-operation to the Maoists”, he said, and the Maoists had pledged to negotiate seriously. “If they are really honest in their words, then I hope ... we will be able to take the peace process to a positive conclusion,” he added.