Making this announcement in the parliament on Friday on behalf of the Prime
Minister, Mr. Lehohla said Mr. Annan would be accompanied by his wife Mrs Nane Annan .Mr. Lehohla said during his visit, the United Nations Secretary General will pay a courtesy call on King Letsie III, hold discussions with the government and briefly address the parliament as well as a visit  to Mohale Dam where he would officially launch the 'International year of mountains' by planting a tree.

The Deputy Prime Minister said the UN Secretary General will also be given an award by naming one of the local roads after him as a commemoration of his historic visit."As part of honouring this historic visit, Mr. Annan would also be given a special award and one of the local roads would be named after him," he stressed. He therefore called on all Basotho to make the visit a success by welcoming the UN Secretary General and his entourage with both hands and make contributions where necessary.

Mr. Lehohla stated that Mr. Annan's visit is an honour to the country, adding that it is the fruits of peace and stability, which are currently prevailing in the country. He pointed out that Mr. Annan will among others inspect projects funded  by the UN and those which are still to be carried out in the country. 

Mr. Annan is the first UN secretary General to visit Lesotho since the organization was formed in 1945. He would also visit other Southern African countries such as Angola which is a country in transition towards peace following a civil unrest that lasted over more than three decades .

23 August, 2002