July 15, 2010 -- The representative of the United Nations  Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Ms Loide Lungameni, paid a courtesy call on President James Michel at State House yesterday.

Ms Lungameni represented the United Nations at the two-day symposium on maritime security.  She said that from what she had observed through the symposium and the visits of facilities in place and through the effort tbeing made, she is now better equipped to advocate for more help for Seychelles.

'And I think the government has done very well through this symposium and in spite of having limited resources the government has not spared any effort to facilitate our work," said Ms Lungameni.

During the meeting at State House, President Michel and Ms Lungameni discussed  various aspects of the symposium, and also further help for Seychelles in terms of capacity building needs such as in prison management and administration, construction of the new security wing at Montagne Posee, health needs including HIV/AIDS in prison.

On the subject matter of the symposium, she noted: "Seychelles is doing a lot with very limited resources and this was further underlined during the symposium and those taking part understood and agreed that this is a shared responsibility for the region and beyond. It needs to be tackled in a concerted effort if we are going to succeed."

She stressed the need for political stability and for the rule of law to be established in Somalia in order to have an end to such crimes like piracy.