U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday voiced disappointment at the decision of Nepal's interim government to postpone Constituent Assembly elections scheduled for next month, emphasizing that the people of the Himalayan country deserve their opportunity to express their political aspirations. In a statement released by his spokesman, Ban strongly urged the Seven-Party Alliance, which comprises the interim coalition government, “to redouble efforts so that outstanding issues can be expeditiously resolved and the election held very soon.” The elections were delayed because of ongoing disputes between the Seven-Party Alliance and the Maoists, media reports said. The secretary-general's statement noted that “the people of Nepal have demonstrated their desire for peace, and the stakes are too high to allow manageable differences to deny their aspirations. Ban also said the United Nations remained committed to assisting to establish a durable peace in Nepal, where a U.N. mission is in place to help guide the country through the post-conflict transition process.
