New top UN official named for Afghanistan

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon named Staffan de Mistura as the next top UN official in Afghanistan on Wednesday, a day ahead of a 60-nation conference in London on the nation's future.

The UN Chief expects the new Afghan government to come out of Thursday's conference with a stronger commitment for good governance.

Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary General, said, "We expect the new Afghan government will come out with a strong compact for good governance addressing corruption and promoting political reconciliation among their people."

UN chief Ban Ki-moon announced Wednesday that he was appointing Swedish diplomat Staffan de Mistura, pictured in 2008, as his new representative to Afghanistan to succeed embattled Kai Eide of Norway. (AFP/File/Cris Bouroncle)