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UNITED NATIONS, March 17 (Xinhua) -- The UN under-secretary-general for peacekeeping operations, Herve Ladsous, on Friday kicked off his visit to Mali and South Sudan with his successor, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, who was appointed to replace Ladsous next month, a UN spokesman told reporters here.
Ladsous "is travelling today to Mali for a two-day trip," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said at a daily news briefing here. "He is expected to meet with government officials, the UN Mission (MINUSMA)'s leadership and UN personnel."
Ladsous, who has been the UN peacekeeping chief for six years, will then proceed to South Sudan on March 19, where he will engage with the government and the humanitarian and diplomatic community, Dujarric said, adding that he is expected to address the press in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, on March 21.
"The under-secretary-general-designate for peacekeeping operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, is accompanying Mr. Ladsous on both trips," the spokesman said.
On Feb. 14, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced the appointment of Lacroix, a French diplomat, as under-secretary-general for peacekeeping operations for one year.
Lacroix, 56, will assume the position on April 1, 2017 after Ladsous steps down. Lacroix is currently director for the United Nations and International Organizations at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
