Head of Security Council Al-Qaida sanctions committee begins mission

The chairman of the United Nations Security Council's committee on sanctions against Al-Qaida and the Taliban today begins a round of visits in Europe, Asia and the Middle East to coordinate action against the two groups.

Ambassador Heraldo Muñoz of Chile will check on implementation of Council resolutions on arms embargoes, asset freezing and travel bans on persons connected with Al-Qaida and the Taliban, according to a Security Council press release.

"He will also explore ways by which the committee might assist states in obtaining any required technical assistance," the release said.

The chairman's specific itinerary was not released.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Council's sanctions committee on Somalia, Ambassador Stefan Tafrov of Bulgaria, has postponed a planned committee trip to the country, a UN spokesperson said. No new date for the trip was announced.