United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Britain's Michael Keating as his new Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan.

In a statement Wednesday, the U.N. mission in Afghanistan said Keating brings extensive experience in managing humanitarian emergencies and post-conflict recovery programs in Afghanistan, the Middle East and Africa.

He replaces Robert Watkins of Canada, who has been appointed to be the Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon.

Keating was born in Uganda and has spent 15 years working for the United Nations.

He will also serve as the U.N.'s humanitarian coordinator in Afghanistan.