The former US senator, Mr George Mitchell, who chaired the Northern Ireland peace talks, is to become the next chancellor of Queen's University Belfast. Mr Mitchell will take up the mainly ceremonial appointment in early May after his formal election at a special meeting on March 4th of the convocation, the body of graduates, staff and senators of the university.
Senator Mitchell said he was "delighted and honoured" with the invitation to serve in the post. He praised Queen's University, of which he is an honorary graduate, as an institution `with a long and distinguished history, and a national and international reputation," and said he was "particularly pleased that this appointment will enable me to maintain my close connection with the people of Northern Ireland."
The university's Vice-Chancellor, Prof George Bain, said: "We are deeply flattered that a statesman of world reputation has agreed to act as the chief officer of the university as we enter the new millennium and hopefully a new era of peace and prosperity in Northern Ireland."