The Secretary-General met today with General Salou Djibo, Head of the Transitional Government of Niger. The Secretary-General welcomed the commitment of the transitional authorities to ensure a swift return to constitutional order in Niger, which is projected to culminate in April 2011 with the inauguration of the new President.

The Secretary-General expressed the support of the international community to overcome the food and malnutrition crisis in Niger, especially by alleviating the effects on the most vulnerable sectors of the population. Finally the Secretary-General noted the regional efforts carried out to strengthen cooperation in the fight against terrorism in the Sahara-Sahel.