The UN has recently warned of an 'alarming' rise in kidnappings for ransom in Nepal, saying the absence of security enforcement was encouraging a culture of impunity.

Also of 'serious concern', said Landgren, is the country's economy, which has been hit by the global financial crisis.

In the past several months, the number of remittances, which constitute a significant portion of Nepal's economy, has plummeted as there were fewer people travelling abroad for work.

Landgren said the Nepalese government was making slow but encouraging signs of progress in the rehabilitation of around 4,000 Maoist soldiers.

The UN has identified around 3,000 child soldiers in Nepal below the age of 18, he added.

Around 24,000 former fighters are still living in camps monitored by the UNMIN, which has been in the country since 2007.