Accra, Feb. 28, GNA - The UN Secretary-General, Busumuru Kofi Annan has welcomed the decision by Mr Faure Gnassingbe, son of Former Togolese President Gnassingbe Eyadema, to step down as Head of State of Togo and the subsequent designation by the National Assembly of an Interim Head of State, who would oversee the organisation of the forthcoming elections in accordance with the Constitution of the that country.

A statement from the UN Information Centre said Busumuru Annan noted that as a result of those positive developments, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) had lifted the sanctions imposed on Togo.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the United Nations to support current efforts towards facilitating a smooth transition in Togo.