GENEVA, Nov 22: The top body representing 4,000 staff at the United Nations European headquarters on Monday adopted a motion of confidence in UN Secretary General Kofi Annan following criticism of the world body's senior management.

The executive bureau of the UN Staff Coordinating Council in Geneva also backed a resolution adopted by the headquarters staff union in New York last week that warned of a "lack of integrity" at the higher echelons of the UN.

"The executive bureau, alarmed by the media's incorrect interpretation of New York Staff Union's position concerning the issue of integrity and accountability... expresses its full confidence in and support of the Secretary General," the Geneva council said in a statement after a meeting.

The UN staff move followed Mr Annan's decision to pardon the head of the UN's internal oversight office, Dileep Nair, who had been targeted by allegations of harassment and favouritism.

Annan also decided after an investigation in July not to pursue a complaint of sexual harassment against the Geneva-based UN High Commissioner for Refugees Ruud Lubbers, although he admonished the refugee chief.

Earlier this year, Annan declined the resignation of his deputy secretary general, Louise Frechette, after a damning report found important security lapses surrounding the August 19, 2003, bombing of the UN's Baghdad offices.

Mr Annan had publicly complained of a "campaign" against the United Nations over the so-called oil-for-food programme. The UN chief's defenders say Annan has worked hard to reform the UN. -AFP