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South Sudan's expulsion of UN deputy envoy "unacceptable": Norway

Xinhua, June 3, 2015 Adjust font size:

Norway on Tuesday denounced as "unacceptable" South Sudan's decision to expel Toby Lanzer, UN deputy representative to the country.

"The expulsion of Toby Lanzer is unacceptable, and we urge South Sudan to reverse the decision. Norway fully supports the UN in this matter," Norwegian Foreign Minister Borge Brende was quoted as saying in a press release.

"This decision will have a negative impact on the UN's crucial and extensive humanitarian efforts in South Sudan. We cannot see that anyone will benefit from the expulsion of Mr Lanzer," he said.

The foreign minister of Norway, which together with the United States and Britain comprises the so-called "troika" for South Sudan, said Lanzer has played a key role in ensuring that lifesaving assistance reaches the civilian population and his expulsion "comes as a surprise."

Lanzer has served as the Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in South Sudan as well as the UN Development Program Resident Coordinator and the Humanitarian Coordinator since July 2012.

The UN chief on Monday called on the government of South Sudan to reverse its decision immediately, saying Lanzer "has been instrumental in addressing the increasing humanitarian needs of conflict-affected communities in the country, and ensuring that life-saving humanitarian assistance reaches the most vulnerable."

No reason was given for the expulsion. Endit