UN chief names Nigerian as envoy on Myanmar matters

United Nations, May 23 (UNI) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon designated senior adviser Ibrahim Gambari of Nigeria as his representative in carrying out the diplomatic brief given to him by the General Assembly on Myanmar.

'' In the discharge of his functions, Mr Gambari will work in coordination with relevant parts of the UN system in order to support Myanmar's efforts in implementing relevant General Assembly resolutions,'' the UN chief's spokeswoman Michele Montas said in a statement issued yesterday.

Mr Ban also '' looks forward to the cooperation of the government of Myanmar and all relevant parties to the national reconciliation process, with a view to making tangible progress towards the restoration of democracy and the protection of human rights in the Southeast Asian nation,'' the spokeswoman added.

Mr Gambari's appointment is effective immediately.

He has been serving as the special adviser on the International Compact with Iraq and other political issues since early March.

Before that, he was chief of the Political Affairs Department.

He was also the special adviser on Africa and headed the UN Mission in Angola. He also served as his country's ambassador to the world body from 1999 to 2002.

Born on November 24, 1944 in Ilorin, Mr Gambari attended Kings College, Lagos. He earned a bachelor's degree from the London School of Economics and btained his master's and doctorate degrees from New York-based Columbia University in Political Science/International Relations.

UNI