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DR of Congo: Annan asks to extend expert panel on illegal use of natural resources

DR of Congo: Annan asks to extend expert panel on illegal use of natural resources

The United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, has recommended that an expert panel dealing with the illegal exploitation of natural resources in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) be extended until 31 October.

In a letter to the Security Council released today, the Secretary-General noted that although the panel was expected to submit a final report at the conclusion of its mandate, it needed additional time to complete its work in order to receive responses from questionnaires sent to Member States and to corroborate evidence.

The Secretary-General had re-appointed the six-member panel in January after the Council decided to extend the panel's initial mandate for an additional six months. After resuming their work in February, the experts issued a preliminary report in May.