UN Will Miss Russian Envoy

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has bid farewell to New York. He was relieved of his duties as Russia's envoy at the UN and before leaving had a meeting with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

After the meeting Annan told journalists that the Russian diplomat will be very much missed in at UN headquarters.

During the 10 years of work there Lavrov many times succeeded in defending Russia's point of view regarding various world events. In spring 2003 he managed to change the version of the UN resolution on Iraq proposed by the USA. The UN will also remember Lavrov as a heavy smoker.

Kofi Annan recollected how Lavrov did not follow orders banning smoking in the UN offices. Said Annan laughing, "in spite of this demarche, Lavrov leaves the UN unharmed, we will miss him very much as he is a witty man and an excellent professional. I am happy that Lavrov has been appointed to head the Russian Foreign Ministry."