KATHMANDU, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- Visiting U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon Friday reaffirmed to continue to support consolidation of peace and reform in Nepal.

    "I am delighted to be in Nepal, an important member state of the UN and a country undergoing a remarkable political-social transformation through a home-grown peace process and national reconciliation," Ban said in a statement released upon his arrival in Nepal for a two-day visit to the country.

    "Well before I became Secretary-General I have watched with great interest the peace process that began to unfold in 2005 and its achievements. And since taking office I have given my full personal support to the work of the UN in support of the peace process," said Ban.

    "I am proud that the UN has been a close partner in Nepal's development effort, in its struggle to end the 10-year conflict, in the fight to promote and defend human rights, and in the implementation of the 2006 Comprehensive Peace Agreement," said the release.

    "I come to congratulate the people of Nepal for the remarkable historic progress they have made in establishing peace, and in particular, for the successful election of the Constituent Assembly in a largely peaceful process last April that has earned the admiration and respect of the entire international community," added the statement.

    Ban arrived in the capital Kathmandu from India on his first trip to Nepal on Friday.