New U.N. security chief from Scotland Yard

UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 13 (UPI) -- A veteran of London's Scotland Yard has been named head of the United Nations' Safety and Security Department.

David Veness, who has been serving as assistant commissioner, specialist operations, in the Metropolitan Police and will serve the world organization as an undersecretary-general, was introduced Thursday to reporters at U.N. World Headquarters in New York by Deputy Secretary-General Louise Frechette.

Special Operations includes work on terrorism, security, organized crime and protection of royalty and diplomats.

Veness, who will take up the post Feb. 28, said he is "a practical counter-terrorist by background."

The new U.N. post was created by the General Assembly in wake of the August 2003 terrorist bombing of U.N. headquarters in Baghdad, which killed 22 people, including Special Representative Sergio Vieira de Mello, the head of mission.