The United Nations has flatly denied press reports that UN Sahara envoy Staffan de Mistura is considering leaving his post, labeling the rumors as a false speculation.
During the press briefing held Monday in New York at UN Headquarters, Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General, said: “We have been getting some questions about our friend Staffan de Mistura, the Personal Envoy for the Sahara, and the speculation that we have seen in some press quarters is that he is considering stepping down, and I just want to say that they are in fact speculation, and in fact, completely false”.
He also affirmed that the UN envoy is “planning to maintain and intensify engagements with all concerned and broader international supporters in a variety of formats, including regional visits and bilateral opportunities”, stressing that Mr.de Mistura “appreciates the support” of the members of the Security Council and the Sahara Friends Group.