UN security chief steps down over Algiers terrorist attack

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(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-06-25 11:40

UNITED NATIONS - United Nations security chief David Veness has resigned over a deadly terrorist attack against UN facilities in Algiers last December, according to a news release Tuesday.

David Veness [Flie photo]

Veness, under secretary-general for Security and Safety, said he will shoulder full responsibility for any security lapse.

He informed Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in a meeting on Monday that as the head of the Department of Safety and Security, he had voluntarily offered to resign in light of his responsibility.

"I am grateful to David Veness for his high sense of devotion to duty and strong professional motivation," Ban said in a statement.

Ban said "while accepting his decision to resign, in the interest of continuity, I have asked him to stay on until such time as a stable succession can be assured. I am aware that this will require some time."

While the Independent Panel has not identified individual accountability, it did find "ample evidence that several staff members up and down the hierarchy may have failed to respond adequately to the Algiers attack, both before and after the tragedy," according to a press statement issued by the UN spokesperson's office.

It also suggested an independent accountability procedure to review the responsibilities of the key individuals and offices concerned, saying such a procedure would help restore staff confidence and morale.

Seventeen UN staff were killed after two car bombs exploded in the Algerian capital of Algiers in Dec. 11, 2007. One of the bombs exploded outside the main UN offices.

In a letter to staff published Tuesday, Ban has announced the creation of a group to follow up on individual accountability arising from the Algiers attacks.

The UN chief reiterated his commitment to ensuring the full accountability of his senior managers and those at other levels of responsible decision-making.

He also said that combating security threats from terrorists and other detractors of the UN and ensuring the safety of staff made it incumbent that host governments and member states realized their responsibilities more strongly so that there can be much closer cooperation on security matters.