Kathmandu - United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon sought a continued UN role in Nepal's peace process, at a meeting with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Friday, officials said.

Nepalese officials said the talks centred on the integration of former rebel combatants into the national army and a possible extension of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN).

"The UN Secretary General sought commitment of the Nepalese government to start the process to integrate and rehabilitate former rebel combatants," said Hira Bahadur Thapa, foreign affairs advisor to the prime minister.

"The secretary general also enquired about the possibility of extension of UNMIN's term in Nepal," Thapa said. The term of UNMIN, which is operating below strength, is due to expire mid-January.

During his stay, Ban is also scheduled to meet President Ram Baran Yadav, Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav and leading politicians.

In a statement issued on his arrival in Kathmandu, Ban said he was proud that the UN had been a close partner in Nepal's development efforts and its struggle to end conflict.

"I come to congratulate the people of Nepal for the remarkable historic progress they have made in establishing peace," he said. "I come also to reaffirm the UN's firm commitment to continue to support the consolidation of peace and reform."

"Much has been accomplished and there are still numerous challenges to overcome," Ban said. "I look forward to fruitful discussions, including on how UNMIN and the rest of the UN can contribute to the completion of the peace process and to long-term peace building and development."

The UN formally became involve with Nepal's peace process following the signing of a peace accord between Maoist rebels and the government in late 2006.

UNMIN is involved in monitoring thousands of former rebel fighters who were disarmed and are kept in 28 camps overseen by the UN across Nepal. Of the original 31,000 Maoist combatants, just over 19,000 passed the UN's rigid verification process for integration.

Nearly 14,000 people died in the communist insurgency which eventually led to the abolition of Nepal's monarchy earlier this year.

Ban will also visit Lumbini, the birth place of Buddha, about 200 kilometres south-west of Kathmandu, on Saturday before leaving for Bangladesh. (dpa)