Annan deeply concerned at eruption of violence in Nepal

The United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, today expressed deep concern at the flare-up of violence in Nepal, where a state of emergency has been declared throughout the country.

"The Secretary-General regrets that the insurgents abandoned peace talks with the Government that started last August," Fred Eckhard, a spokesman for Mr. Annan, said in a statement. "He will continue to follow closely the developments in Nepal."

According to the spokesman, rebels belonging to the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoists) broke a four-month long ceasefire and resumed armed actions in more than one-third of the Kingdom's districts.