UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Monday appointed Francesc Vendrell as his Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Special Mission to Afghanistan(USA) at the rank of Assistant Secretary-General.

Vendrell, a national of Spain, has been Officer-in-Charge of the Office of the Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs with responsibility for Asia and the Pacific, Americas and Europe since November 1999. The appointment takes effect on February 1, 2000.

He has also been serving as Deputy Personal Representative of the Secretary-General for East Timor since June 1999.

Vendrell joined the United Nations in 1968 and has held a variety of posts related to political affairs and international law. (Xinhua)