Secretary-General Congratulates Timor-Leste Government as National Force Resumes

 

Responsibility for All Police Operations from United Nations Mission

 

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General welcomes the transfer of responsibilities for the conduct and command and control of all police operations in Timor-Leste on 27 March 2011 from the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) police to the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL).  He congratulates the Government for the achievement that this resumption of responsibilities represents in enabling the maintenance of law and order in the country.  He sees this event as an important step in the institutional development of PNTL nearly five years after the 2006 crisis.

The United Nations Mission in Timor-Leste will continue to provide advice and support to the Government of Timor-Leste to address any remaining gaps and weaknesses and to support the further institutional development and capacity-building of the national police.

* *** *

For information media • not an official record