Norwegian Kai Eide would be new UN mission head in Afghanistan

United Nations, Mar 8 (UNI) UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has informed the Security Council of his intention to appoint Mr Kai Eide of Norway as special representative and head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).

Mr Moon proposed Mr Eide's name for the post yesterday.

An integrated mission established in March 2002, UNAMA deals with development issues and handle political matters. These are headed by deputy envoys Bo Asplund and Christopher Alexander respectively.

A career diplomat with the Norwegian foreign service, Mr Eide served with the UN as Special Envoy of the Secretary-General to deliver a comprehensive review of Kosovo in 2005 and as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1997-98.

He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Oslo, where he studied Political Science, International Law, French and Literature.

Mr Eide may replace Tom Koenigs of Germany, who completed his assignment in December.

UNI XC SYU PM0949