Annan announces retirement of long-time senior advisor Iqbal Riza

Hailing his "unflinching dedication to the ideals and principles" of the United Nations during a career spanning almost three decades, Secretary-General Kofi Annan today announced the retirement of Iqbal Riza, his Chef de Cabinet, effective next month.

In a statement released in New York, Mr. Annan said "it is with very mixed emotions that I have accepted the long-standing request" of Mr. Riza, 70, to retire on 15 January.

Mr. Riza, who has been Chef de Cabinet since 1997, has worked for the UN both at Headquarters in New York and in the field since 1978, when he joined the world body after spending 19 years with Pakistan's Foreign Service. He has held senior posts in the UN's peacekeeping and political affairs departments, and has worked in the field in Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Mr. Annan said Mr. Riza "has always provided me with wise and trusted counsel" during his stint as Chef de Cabinet.