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UN to send high-level mission

    ABIDJAN

    The UN is to send a high-level team to assess the problems faced by the UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) and make recommendations on improving its ability to discharge its mandate, Fred Eckhard, spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, said on Wednesday.

    The mission will be led by a former assistant secretary-general for peacekeeping operations, Manfred Eisele.

    UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan noted in a report issued on Monday to the Security Council that UNAMSIL had experienced many difficulties in recent weeks. The Security Council, in response to the report, expressed deep concern over the humanitarian situation and reminded all States of their obligation to implement the arms embargo against the Revolutionary United Front (RUF). They also expressed their willingness to consider further measures to strengthen the sanctions regime, Chinese Ambassador Wang Yingfan reported on Wednesday.

    Meanwhile Annan said on Wednesday he hoped that by the time West African heads of state met in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, on Saturday to discuss regional intervention in Sierra Leone, most of the detained UN peacekeepers would have been freed. Just over 250 UN personnel are believed to be still held by RUF rebels, the UN reported.

    Meanwhile, no fighting involving UN personnel was reported on Wednesday in Sierra Leone, Eckhard said. An eight-member UN team sent to Rogberi Junction, where bodies in uniform with UN insignia had been found, could not confirm whether the remains were those of UN soldiers. Forensic experts were being sought to conduct further investigations, he added.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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