UN chief to visit Lebanon, Jordan, Tunisia

UN chief Ban Ki-moon will leave New York next week for a visit to Lebanon, Jordan and Tunisia in the build-up to a high-level meeting on global responsibility sharing for Syrian refugees on March 30 in Geneva, a UN spokesman said here Friday.

The UN secretary-general will make the upcoming visit alongside the president of the World Bank Group, Jim Yong Kim, spokesman Stephane Dujarric said at a daily news briefing here.

The secretary-general and the president of the World Bank Group will start their visit in Lebanon on Thursday, he said.

Accompanied by Ahmad Mohamed Ali Al-Madani, president of the Islamic Development Bank, they will meet with the president of the Council of Ministers of Lebanon, Tammam Salam, as well as with several other senior officials, the spokesman said.

"They will also visit communities hosting Syrian and Palestinian refugees to reiterate their long-term support to the country and discuss new approaches to building resilience and assisting national systems," Dujarric said.

On March 27, Ban and Kim will travel to Jordan, he said. "They will meet with His Majesty King Abdullah II, as well as other members of the government, and visit the Zaatari refugee camp. They will also participate jointly in an open discussion with Jordanian youth."

On March 28, Ban and Kim will leave Jordan for Tunisia, where they will meet with President Beji Caid Essebsi and other senior officials, and pay respect to the victims of terrorism, he said.

"The secretary-general will also attend a national conference on employment, hosted by the president," Dujarric said.

On March 30, Ban will be in Geneva to open the high-level meeting on global responsibility sharing for Syrian Refugees, he said. Enditem