Canadian diplomat names as first UN number two

The United Nations has named as its first-ever deputy secretary-general a former Canadian ambassador to the organisation, Louise Frechette.

The creation of the post was approved by the UN General Assembly last month: her first duties are expected to be overseeing reforms to streamline UN bureaucracy and operations.

These were proposed last year by the Secretary-General, Kofi Annan.

Miss Frechette is currently the Canadian deputy defence minister.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service