UN REFUGEE CHIEF MEETS WITH TUNISIAN OFFICIALS BEFORE HEADING TO IRAN

UN REFUGEE CHIEF MEETS WITH TUNISIAN OFFICIALS BEFORE HEADING TO IRAN New York, Sep 2 2008 12:10PM The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (<"http://www.unhcr.org/news/NEWS/48bd18502.html">UNHCR) is visiting Tunisia to strengthen cooperation between his office and the North African nation, including the establishment of a full-fledged representation, before heading to Iran later this week.

During his two-day visit to Tunisia, António Guterres is scheduled to meet with the President, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Justice and Human Rights, the Minister of National Defence and other senior Government officials as well as the UN Country Team, UNHCR partners and staff.

UNHCR began its operation in the country in 1957, at the request of the Government, to assist several thousand Algerian refugees who had arrived in the country. Since 1963, the agency has maintained an Honorary Representation in the capital, Tunis.

Mr. Guterres will then head to Iran, where he will discuss the future of refugees in that country and UNHCR's mandate there with the newly appointed Minister of the Interior and other Iranian officials. He will also see the agency's operations and meet with refugees during his 4 to 7 September visit.

This will be Mr. Guterres' second visit to Iran since being appointed High Commissioner in 2005.
2008-09-02 00:00:00.000

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