U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said he is satisfied with the peace process in Angola, credited with halting 27 years of civil war, and promised the United Nations will help rebuild the country, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

At the start of his two-day visit to Angola on Sunday, Aug. 25, Annan said the world body will work with the government and UNITA rebels to consolidate the peace process and end the humanitarian crisis, the AP reported.

The war that left most of the diamond- and oil-rich country in ruins ended with a cease-fire in April after the death of rebel leader Jonas Savimbi. Aid groups say up to half a million people face starvation due to the conflict, the AP reported.

The United Nations recently agreed to beef up its presence in Angola to help arrange and coordinate humanitarian aid, mobilize international aid, support mine clearing efforts, reintegrate demobilized UNITA guerrillas into society, and help the Angolan government prepare for elections, the AP reported.

JCK