KATHMANDU, April 18 - The CPN-Maoist party Friday said that the work period of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) need not be extended after its current period expires in June.

Maoist leader C.P. Gajurel said that the new government formed under the Maoist leadership will establish a National Army by integrating the Nepal Army and People’s Liberation Army and the UN body will not be needed to oversee the integration.

“We extended their work period by six months earlier. A new National Army will be formed by integrating the Nepal Army and the People’s Liberation Army and the UN will not be needed as the new government can carry out the integration,” Gajurel said.

Today’s remarks from the former rebels come after UNMIN chief Ian Martin earlier today expressed a possibility to extend the work period of the UN body even after the formation of the Constituent Assembly to assist the country in the peace process.

UNMIN was set up to monitor the peace process and conduction of CA polls in August 2006 after the April movement and its term is due to expire in June.