06/02/2008
Former Algerian foreign minister Lakhdar Brahimi will lead the UN independent panel appointed to investigate the December 11th attacks in Algiers, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced on Tuesday (February 5th). The UN chief said Brahimi "possesses vast experience and knowledge of UN operations". He added, "I am quite sure that he will lead this independent panel with fairness and objectivity, to bring a very important recommendation for the safety and security of the UN staff." The panel will examine the events leading up to the deaths of 17 UN employees and identify ways to improve security at UN facilities around the world. The names of the panel's other experts are to be announced shortly.