KABUL - The UN secretary-general's new special representative for Afghanistan arrived in the capital city of Kabul on Wednesday to take charge of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).
Upon arrival at the Kabul International Airport, Ján Kubiš told reporters: "I am looking forward to be here in this period of transition, to be a good partner of the government of Afghanistan and a good partner of the people of Afghanistan."

Kubiš said he looked forward to working "in this partnership" as Afghanistan was moving to a new period of development. He noted that the UN was ready to assist the government and people of Afghanistan.

UNAMA Deputy Special-Representative Michael Keating and Director General of the Department of the UN and International Conferences at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs M. Erfani Ayub met Kubiš at the tarmac.

Hailing from Slovakia, he succeeds Staffan de Mistura, who headed UNAMA from March 2010 through December 2011. Prior to taking up his current position, he served as UN under-secretary-general and executive secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Europe.