I. Introduction

1. The present report is submitted pursuant to Security Council resolution 1802 (2008), by which the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) until 26 February 2009. It covers major developments in Timor-Leste and the implementation of the Mission’s mandate since my report of 29 July 2008 (S/2008/501).

2. As at 20 January 2009, UNMIT consisted of a civilian component comprising 340 international staff (122 women), 874 national staff (158 women), 1,510 police officers (74 women) and 31 military liaison and staff officers (2 women). The United Nations country team consisted of 254 international staff (111 women) and 508 national staff (133 women). My Special Representative, Atul Khare, continued to lead the Mission and to coordinate with United Nations system actors and other stakeholders. He was assisted by the Deputy Special Representative for Governance Support, Development and Humanitarian Coordination, Finn Reske-Nielsen, who also acts as officer-in-charge in the absence of my Special Representative, and by the Deputy Special Representative for Security Sector Support and Rule of Law, Takahisa Kawakami, who took up his functions on 2 November. UNMIT has continued its integrated “one United Nations system” approach and made significant progress in achieving integration across all relevant areas of the mandate. The joint efforts of UNMIT and the United Nations country team have been instrumental in providing coordinated policy, political, technical and financial support to help Timor-Leste accomplish its goals.

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