UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon has notified the UN Security Council of his intention to appoint a veteran Nigerian diplomat, who is working as a senior UN official at the world body's headquarters in New York, as Joint Special Representative of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), the deputy spokesperson for the secretary-general, Marie Okabe said here on Wednesday.

    "The secretary-general has informed the Security Council of his intention, following consultations with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, to appoint Mr. Ibrahim Gambari of Nigeria as Joint Special Representative of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) with effect from Jan. 1, 2010," Okabe told reporters here.

    Gambari succeeds Rodolphe Adada, who is a former foreign minister of the Republic of Congo and stepped down from his duties as UNAMID chief on Aug. 31. Ban accepted his resignation and wished him continued success in his "future role with the government of the Congo."

    Darfur operation is the first hybrid peacekeeping mission between the African Union and the United Nations.

    Gambari has had a long and distinguished career with the United Nations, having served most recently as the secretary-general's special advisor on the International Compact with Iraq and other political issues. He has also served the secretary-general in pursuing the good offices mandate on Myanmar.

    Asked whether Gambari would be replaced in his role as the envoy dealing with Myanmar, Okabe said that the secretary-general would continue his good offices role on Myanmar and would seek a replacement for Gambari.