Beirut, Lebanon
Sunday, 04 February 2012
Mr. Derek Plumbly, the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, arrived today in Beirut to officially take up his new responsibilities. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had last month appointed Mr. Plumbly of the United Kingdom as his Special Coordinator for Lebanon, succeeding Mr. Michael Williams of the United Kingdom.
In fulfilling his functions, the Special Coordinator for Lebanon is the Secretary-General’s representative to the Lebanese Government, all political parties and the diplomatic community based in the country. The Special Coordinator is also the senior most UN officer in charge of the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006). He also coordinates the activities of the UN agencies with the Government of Lebanon, donors and international financial institutions, in line with the overall objectives of the UN in Lebanon.
Mr. Plumbly has had a distinguished career in international affairs spanning over 35 years. He has held important posts dealing with the Middle East. Most recently he was Chairman of the Assessment and Evaluation Commission charged with monitoring implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Sudan (2008 to 2011).
Mr. Plumbly has served as UK’s Ambassador to Egypt (2003-2007) and Saudi Arabia (2000-2003). He also held the Foreign and Commonwealth Office posts of Director, Middle East and North Africa (1997 to 2000) and International Drugs Coordinator, Director of Drugs and Crime (1996-1997). From 1992 to 1996, Mr. Plumbly served as Head of Chancery at the UK Mission to the UN in New York.
Mr. Plumbly read Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Oxford University. He is an Arabic speaker.
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