A Security Council Delegation has concluded its visit to Timor-Leste having met with a wide variety of Timorese across the country and having gained a first hand view of the challenges facing the young nation.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Timor-Leste, Mr Atul Khare said the visit expresses the strong support that the international community has for the ongoing work in Timor-Leste and that the country is still a priority for assistance.

"We are confident that the Security Council will have greater familiarity with the situation on the ground," Mr Khare said, "Its visit has given the UN mission renewed energy to do its work as mandated by Security Council resolutions 1704 and 1745."

Those participating were Ambassador Dumisani Kumalo (Head of Mission) from South Africa, Ambassador Liu Zhenmin from China, Mr. Muhammad Anshor from Indonesia, Ms Diana Eloeva from the Russian Federation, Ambassador Peter Burian from Slovakia and the United States Ambassador Jackie Wolcott

UNMIT's current 12-month mandate expires on 26 February, 2008.

Upon the conclusion of their visit, the Delegation briefed the media. For a full transcript of the briefing please visit www.unmit.org

For more information please call spokesperson Allison Cooper on +670 7230453 or Hipolito Gama on +670 7211839.