United Nations: Former Indian Ambassador to the United Nations Vijay Nambiar has been appointed Chef de Cabinet by the new UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon.

Announcing his first high level appointment today, Ban said he had known Nambiar for a long time and we share deep confidence and respect for each other.

Nambiar, who takes over the new job on the New Year Day, is currently the UN Secretary-General's special adviser.

Ban, who takes over on January 1, has appointed Michelle Montas as spokesperson.

Montas, an-award-winning journalist from Haiti, is currently the head of the French unit of UN Radio.

She served as the spokesperson for the General Assembly President in 2003.