Kathmandu, July 17 - As Nepal's new communist government Friday began the process of releasing nearly 3,000 'child soldiers' who had been illegally inducted by the Maoist guerrillas in the course of their decade-old insurrection, the UN hailed the move, calling it a 'significant milestone' in the peace process.

'The United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) and the UN Country Team welcome the decision by the Government of Nepal and the Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (UCPN-M) to formally launch on 17 July, 2009 the discharge and rehabilitation process,' UNMIN said in a press statement issued in Kathmandu Friday.

'This marks a significant milestone in the peace process.'

UNMIN also urged the former rebels not to hinder the process, saying it was important that the party cooperated with the government to ensure the successful completion of the discharge and rehabilitation programme.

A team of officials from Nepal's Peace and Reconstruction Ministry Friday reached the Shaktikhor cantonment of the Maoists' Peoples Liberation Army in Nawalparasi district in western Nepal.