New York:A United Nations official who held talks last year on democratic reforms with the Myanmar government has been reappointed to continue his efforts.
 
Ibrahim Gambari, a Nigerian diplomat and former UN political affairs adviser, "will work in coordination with relevant parts of the UN system in order to support Myanmar's efforts in implementing UN General Assembly resolutions," UN spokeswoman Michelle Montas said today(May 23,2007).
 
Gambari is currently a special adviser to Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on reconstruction and economic development in Iraq. Ban asked him to take on the additional duty to work for democratic reform in Myanmar.
 
The 192-nation assembly has been urging Myanmar to undertake democratic reform and respect human rights, but has had no success with the country's military government.
 
"The secretary general looks forward to the continued cooperation of the government of Myanmar and all relevant parties to the national reconciliation process, with a view to making tangible progress towards the restoration of democracy and the protection of human rights in Myanmar," she said.