Ban Ki-moon to visit Italy, Switzerland, Qatar and Syria – UN spokesman

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will head to Europe and the Middle East next week for an official visit that will include stops in Italy, Switzerland, Qatar and Syria as well as meetings with numerous leaders and the Pope, a spokesman for the world body announced today.

In Rome, Mr. Ban “plans to meet with senior Italian leaders,” spokesperson Marie Okabe told a press briefing in New York. “He also expects to meet with the Pope in Vatican City.”

While in Switzerland, he will hold talks with leaders of the Swiss Government and will chair a meeting of the Chief Executives Board (CEB) which brings together top officials from across the UN system.

Mr. Ban will address a Forum on Democracy, Development and Free Trade in Doha, Qatar, before heading to Damascus, where he “plans to meet with senior government officials, including the president, on a range of issues,” Ms. Okabe said.