U.N. Resident Coordinator to return to Sri Lanka: UN
July 17, 2010 09:42 am
In response to questions at the daily briefings at the United Nations, Spokesperson Farhan Haq said that the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Sri Lanka, Neil Buhne, will conclude his visit to New York this week and return to Colombo.
Farhan Haq, Associate spokesperson for Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon revealed this during the media briefing at the U.N. Headquarters in New York on Friday, July 16, 2010.
It is important to continue UN efforts to assist the people of Sri Lanka, particularly with regard to reconstruction and rehabilitation in the North.
Obviously, the functioning of UN operations in Sri Lanka will require positive cooperation and Mr. Buhne will also convey the Secretary-General’s strong expectations for a better treatment of the UN family in Sri Lanka, as well as for progress on the range of commitments covered in the Joint Statement of May 2009 including resettlement of internally displaced persons, political reconciliation and accountability, Haq said.
Asked why Buhne was returning to Sri Lanka after being recalled last week, Haq noted the changing circumstances in the country, which had allowed UN staff to return to work without the hindrance that they had faced earlier.