U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Ruud Lubbers on Thursday said an emotional goodbye to some 6,000 UNHCR staff around the world and handed over temporary leadership responsibilities for the agency to Deputy High Commissioner Wendy Chamberlin. Ms. Chamberlin will work closely with Assistant High Commissioner Kamel Morjane pending the appointment of a new High Commissioner.

Mr. Lubbers left UNHCR's Geneva headquarters at 3:38 p.m., ending what he described as "50 wonderful months" as the world's top refugee official.

Earlier, the former Dutch prime minister addressed a staff gathering in the cavernous headquarters atrium.

"I saw a lot of misery during my time as High Commissioner, but a lot of wonderful things as well," Mr. Lubbers said. "For me, it was a great time. And I think for you – even with all the difficult moments – it was a great time as well."

Lubbers said his term as chief of UNHCR's global efforts to protect and assist 17 million refugees and others of concern was a privilege, and he thanked UNHCR staff for their support during the last, difficult 10 months.

Lubbers, who took over as High Commissioner on Jan. 1, 2001, had been scheduled to retire at the end of this year. He tendered his resignation to Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Sunday.

Deputy High Commissioner then presented Mr. Lubbers with the first annual UNHCR Achievement Award, citing his individual and personal contributions to the lives of millions of refugees worldwide.