Annan's envoy in southern Lebanon to meet with newly elected administrators

Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Personal Representative for Southern Lebanon will assess the needs of the local administration in the area during an upcoming trip there, the United Nations announced today.

Staffan de Mistura will travel throughout southern Lebanon on Tuesday and Wednesday to gain "a first-hand view of the current needs of the south and the priorities set by the local administration to address those needs, with the help of the Government," according to the UN Information Centre (UNIC) in Beirut. Mr. de Mistura will meet with administrators elected during last month's municipal election.

"The visit should also provide an occasion to discuss the manner in which demining initiatives could fit into the overall plans for development of the south by the newly elected administrators," UNIC Beirut noted.

While in the area, Mr. de Mistura is also scheduled to meet with a number of senior officials, including the Governor of the South, Faisal Sayegh, as well as the Governor of Nabitiyeh, Mahmoud Al-Moullah.

During his trip, the envoy will be accompanied by representatives from UN agencies, the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), and the UN Mine Action Service.