A top UN official told the Security Council that the peace process in Nepal faced deadlock, "with an added risk of confrontation and violence".

"Despite continuing efforts, the level of trust among the major parties has continued to dwindle," said Karin Landgren, head of the UN Mission in Nepal (UNMIN), while presenting the latest report of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to the Council.

Landgren noted that the past few days have seen low-level clashes between the Maoist-affiliated Yong Communist League and the Unified Maoist-Leninist Youth Force in some eastern districts.