Annan sacks UN security chief for Aug 19 bombing

Annan’s actions came in response to the findings of an accountability report released on Monday. It stated that the security coordinator, Tun Myat, was ‘‘blinded by the conviction that UN personnel and installations would not become a target of attack, despite the warnings to the contrary.’’ Failure to take measures that might have saved lives demonstrated ‘‘lethargy bordering on gross negligence,’’ the report said.

Annan fired Myat and demoted Ramiro Lopes de Silva, who was in charge of UN security in Iraq. Lopes de Silva will be allowed to return to a post in the World Food Programme but won’t be entrusted with security matters, said Annan’s spokesman Fred Eckhard. Two officials who failed to install blast-resistant film on the windows of the headquarters, a measure that might have saved lives, were charged with misconduct and will face disciplinary action.