Harare/Johannesburg  - The United Nations' top humanitarian official said Wednesday she was told by Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe that political prisoners still in detention would have to pass through the courts and, if convicted, would then go before clemency appeals, which are heard by him.

Johannesburg  - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon was scheduled to discuss the global financial crisis, Zimbabwe's fragile power-sharing government and climate change with South Africa's leadership at the start of his five-nation Africa tour Wednesday.

Ban arrived in South Africa on Tuesday evening on his first visit to the African powerhouse as United Nations chief. He was met on arrival in Johannesburg by Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

New York  - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday welcomed the agreement between the Sudanese government and a rebel group to release prisoners in Darfur.

The agreement between the government and main rebel group Justice and Equality Movement was signed on February 17 in Doha and mediated by the Qatar government.

"This represents a concrete step in the ongoing efforts to negotiate a peaceful settlement in the Darfur conflict," Ban said in a statement.

New York - The United Nations on Monday thanked the emir of Qatar for allocating 30 million dollars as humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip and 10 million dollars for a UN emergency fund.

Qatar said the 30 million dollars will go towards meeting the "critical needs" of Gaza residents affected by the recent Israel- Hamas conflict.

The UN also expressed its gratitude for Qatar's 10-million-dollar contribution to the Central Emergency Response Fund, which was set up to meet urgent relief needs around the world.

Quetta, Feb. 21 : The United Nations has appealed to the abductors of John Solecki to make contact with it through a trusted intermediary, seeking an early release of the official.

A statement issued by the organization here asked the kidnappers to contact the UN, if not directly, then through a `trusted intermediary', The Dawn reports.

Solecki was abducted from Quetta on Monday (February 2) following an ambush in which his driver was killed.

New York - East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta called on the UN Security Council on Thursday to continue its assistance to the tiny island nation in the Pacific, a call supported by Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

A UN mission comprised of nearly 3,000 police and civilian personnel has been providing security to the country and training to local forces. The UN was first involved 10 years ago in helping East Timor to gain independence from Indonesia and in organizing elections to establish the current government.