Security Council in favour of UN support office

The UN Security Council has welcomed a proposal by Secretary-General Kofi Annan to open a UN support office in Guinea Bissau, the Council’s president said in a statement released at the weekend. In February, Annan proposed that a UN Peacebuilding Support Office be set up to help restore peace, democracy and the rule of law as well as organise free and transparent elections. Additionally, the office would try and get the government’s commitment and that of other parties to adopt a programme of voluntary arms collection and destruction. It would also provide leadership in harmonising the activities of the UN system in the country “particularly during the transitional period leading up to general and presidential elections”.