UNITED NATIONS, Feb 1: Representatives of 132 developing countries known as the G-77 have criticised the UN secretariat for holding press briefings on sensitive management issues and leaking out information on allegations of fraud and corruption at the world body to the press without informing the member states first.

The Group of 77 has also appealed to Secretary General Kofi Annan to help ‘control this unhelpful trend’.

Speaking on behalf of the G-77. Ambassador Xolisa Mabhongo, the deputy permanent representative of South Africa, this week noted that reports requested by the General Assembly are being leaked to the mainstream news media even before they are released to member states.

Mr Mabhongo said: “These actions and allegations made to the press have seriously undermined the oversight role of member states and by extension the General Assembly,” the highest policy-making body at the United Nations.