UN's Ban makes key appointments

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United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has named a UK diplomat as the world body's new humanitarian chief.

John Holmes - who has been Britain's ambassador to France - will replace Jan Egeland, who stepped down in December.

Mr Ban also appointed Alicia Barcena, a Mexican environmentalist, to spearhead UN reform efforts. She succeeds Christopher Burnham from the US.

Mr Ban, South Korea's former foreign minister, in January succeeded Kofi Annan who was at the helm for 10 years.

He has said he plans to finish filling the key UN jobs in the coming days.

Mr Ban, 62, is the first Asian to hold the top post in 35 years.