United Nations, December 08, SPA -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday proposed replacing the current U.N. operation in Sierra Leone, when it completes its mandate next September, with a smaller integrated office to assist the West African country to consolidate peace. In his latest report on the U.N. Integrated Office in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL), Ban recommended that the current operation be extended for a final period of nine months so that it can continue to assist the government in supporting the local elections scheduled for next year and in strengthening state institutions. “During this period, UNIOSIL would take steps to progressively reduce its strength with a view to completing its mandate by September 2008,” the secretary-general wrote, adding that he intends to submit proposals for reducing the mission to the Security Council next April. Ban said the U.N. mission continues to help the Sierra Leone government consolidate peace and address challenges related to good governance, security, human rights, and development. However, the country, working to rebuild after an 11-year conflict, continues to face “daunting challenges,” the secretary-general said, citing widespread poverty, worsening unemployment, and rising food prices. “A viable economy that can generate employment and sustainable public revenues has yet to be created,” he said.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/507242