Kathmandu, Sept 19 : The United Kingdom has pledged an aid of eight million dollars for the peace process in Nepal.

Visiting British International Development Minister Shahid Malik offered the aid to Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala today.

During his meeting with Koirala at Baluwatar, Malik described the Maoist decision to quit government as unfortunate, and stressed the need for political consensus.

Koirala’s Foreign Affairs Advisor Dr Suresh Chalise told this to reporters after the meeting.

Meanwhile, Malik met senior Maoist leader Dr Baburam Bhattarai and expressed worry over the Maoist party’s withdrawal from the government.

Bhattarai reportedly told Malik that there could be a compromise with the Nepal Government if their demands for immediate announcement of republic and fully proportional election system were met.

Earlier on Tuesday, reacting to the Maoist announcement of quitting the Government, Mallik said: "I am a little bit disappointed."

Terming the turn of evens as unfortunate, Mallik said he hoped a new understanding would soon be reached among the political parties.

Malik, who arrived here on a three-day visit on Monday, said he was here to express the UK support for the Constituent Assembly elections slated for November 22. (With inputs from ANI)