The Times
James Bone in New York, Jerome Starkey in Kabul

The highest UN role in Afghanistan is to be handed to a low-profile career diplomat,The Times has learnt, after the incumbent openly clashed with his deputy over election fraud.

At tomorrow’s Afghanistan conference in London, the UN Secretary-General will announce that Staffan de Mistura, a dual Swedish-Italian national, is to replace Kai Eide as Special Representative when he steps down at the end of next month.

The choice of Mr de Mistura suggests that the UN will continue to play a limited role in Afghanistan rather than taking the lead in establishing its own contacts with the Taleban, as some UN officials would prefer. (Read more…)