New head of UN Mission

Leadership of the United Nations Mission in Angola (UNMA) is to pass from Ibrahim Gambari to Erick de Mul, the former Humanitarian Coordinator in the country.

"The peace process under the Lusaka protocol is now completed ... but the challenges ahead are not minor," Gambari was quoted as saying in a transcript of a press conference he held in Luanda on Tuesday.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General underlined the need to address the humanitarian crisis in the country. Gambari also stressed the need for "an economic recovery and reconstruction and the consolidation of peace and national reconciliation".

The UN, the international community, the government and former rebel group UNITA, were all happy with the conclusion of outstanding issues of the 1994 Lusaka protocol, he said.

"The UN is very delighted to have been part of the peace process and will continue to assist the people and government of Angola to consolidate the peace and to address the challenges in the humanitarian situation, economic recovery, de-mining, human rights and all the other things that we can do in common. I must not forget the challenge of social reintegration of demobilised soldiers.

"But now that war is over, these tasks will be much easier, particularly with the government doing even more to make resources available for dealing with these challenges, the international community will come to assist and will compliment these efforts," he said.

On De Mul's appointment, Gambari said: "The major challenges are now humanitarian and developmental and that is why it is appropriate that he will be taking over as Officer-in-Charge of the UNMA from this point on."

He had been assured by the government that De Mul would receive "full cooperation and support".