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United Nations: United Nations human rights chief Sergio Vieira de Mello has been appointed as the world body's special representative in Iraq for four months and will work with the United States and Britain in reconstruction of the country and rebuilding of its devastated institutions.

But de Mello, who has strong backing of the United States, said his appointment is only for four months so that he can hold his current position.

Secretary General Kofi Annan informed the presidents of Security Council and the General Assembly in letters of his choice on May 23, just 24 hours after the Council adopted a resolution lifting sanctions on Iraq. Annan is expected to formally introduce him at press conference on May 27. May 26 is UN holiday.

Writing to Assembly president Jan Kavan, Annan described Mello's appointment as "unusual" and there was nothing in his letter to suggest that he would remain in Iraq after that.

Annan said he has selected de Mello because of "his unique experience in serving the UN in post- conflict situations in the past".

Deputy high commissioner for human rights Bertie Ramcharan will be officer-in-charge during Vieira de Mello's absence.

The 55-year-old Brazilian diplomat has deftly handled the East Timor, Kosovo and Lebanon crisis, among other places. He took over a UN human rights commissioner in September from Mary Robinson.

PTI