The Secretary-General met today with Mr. Madické Niang, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Senegal, in New York. They discussed regional peace and security issues, in particular the threat posed by drug and arms trafficking, as well as terrorism. The Secretary-General expressed his appreciation to the Foreign Minister for the role Senegal plays in promoting regional and international peace and security. He expressed the hope that all measures will be taken to ensure that the presidential and legislative elections scheduled for 2012 will be peaceful, transparent and fair, and that freedom of expression will be guaranteed. The Secretary-General assured President Wade of the readiness of the United Nations to assist the Government of Senegal throughout the process.