Ban Soon-taek

Nepal's politicians have given themselves four months to finally complete a peace process after a United Nations report criticised their failure to fulfil pledges made at the end of the war.The agreement paves the way for a final extension of the UN Mission in Nepal (UNMIN), which was set up after the decade-long conflict ended in 2006 with a temporary mandate to monitor the two rival armies and oversee the peace process.Its term has been repeatedly extended as political leaders have failed...Read Full Story

The United Nations Security Council voted Wednesday to extend the mandate of its peace-monitoring mission in Nepal, but urged the nation to prepare for the eventual withdrawal of the force.The council's 15 members unanimously adopted resolution 1921, agreeing to a request from Nepal's government that the force remain on the ground until at least September 15.UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had endorsed extending the mandate of the force, known as UNMIN. But the resolution, drafted by Britain...Read Full Story

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday selected U.S. foreign policy expert Tony Lake, who was an adviser to President Barack Obama, as his candidate to head UNICEF, the U.N. children's agency.UNICEF's board must approve the selection, and is expected to do so.Lake, 70, would replace Ann Veneman, a former U.S. secretary of agriculture who was appointed by former President George W. Bush. She announced in late December that she would not seek a second five-year term as UNICEF's executive...Read Full Story

London, July 9 ANI): United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has recalled the world body's top envoy to Sri Lanka and closed down an office in Colombo in light of continuing protests over a panel set up to investigate war crimes. According to the BBC, Ban Ki-moon has said that it was "unacceptable" that Sri Lankan authorities had failed to prevent the disruption of the work of UN personnel in the country. "In light of the evolving situation, he is recalling the United Nations Resident Co...Read Full Story

Nepal's ruling parties have angrily accused United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon of political interference after he called for the establishment of a national unity government.They said the UN had no right to dictate the make-up of the administration, formed after the Maoists resigned from power in May over a row with the president.The former guerrillas, who fought a 10-year war before winning 2008 elections, make up the largest party in parliament, but have rejected invitations to join the new...Read Full Story