Russian diplomat to become new UN counterterror chief

The United Nations will announce Wednesday the appointment of its first counterterrorism chief, Russian diplomat Vladimir Voronkov, UN officials and diplomats told AFP.

The new high-level position has been created by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to strengthen counterterrorism efforts that had been dispersed among several UN agencies and departments.

"I do believe that we have a problem of coordination of the 38 entities that within the UN deal with counterterrorism, so it makes full sense to have a dedicated office with a responsible (person)," Guterres told a news conference on Tuesday.

Voronkov is Russia's representative to international organizations in Vienna.

The appointment will raise Russia's profile in international counterterrorism and at the United Nations, where Voronkov will hold the title of under-secretary-general.

The UN General Assembly last week approved the creation of the new UN office of counterterrorism.

"The secretary-general considers counterterrorism and prevention of violent extremism to be one of the highest priorities of the United Nations to address a growing threat to international peace and security," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said after the assembly's approval.