Nepal's Maoist rebels refuse to hand over weapons

Nepal's Maoist rebels say that they will not give up their weapons.

Nepal's interim government has asked the UN for help in decommissioning rebel arms ahead of the elections to a constituent assembly to write a new constitution for the country.

The Maoists say they will only go as far as keeping their fighters in camps - and that depends on government forces remaining inside their barracks.

It is unclear how security for the polls would be enforced.

The Maoist leader Prachanda has written a letter to the UN saying that handing over weapons is unacceptable.

A UN team is due to arrive in Kathmandu this week to look for ways to support the peace process.

- RADIO AUSTRALIA