The United Nations (UN) will in January open a regional office in Libreville, the capital of Gabon, for purposes of preventing conflicts in the Central African region, UN political advisor Angele Makombo-Eboum announced on Monday.

Speaking during a forum for foreign ministers, Makombo-Eboum said the UN Security Council passed a resolution regarding the establishment of this office in late August.

Makombo-Eboum is currently heading a strong UN delegation in Libreville in preparation to create the office.

Under a draft plan, there will be a small group of staff arriving in the Gabonese capital between November and December. A bigger number of staff will be in Libreville in January for the opening of the office.

"Several countries competed to host this office, but it was Libreville that won the right to host it," Makombo-Eboum said.

"The objective of this office is to help our Central Africa sub- region to handle issues of peace and security. The office will have a conflict prevention role. It is expected to partner, cooperate and reinforce regional organizations like the Economic Community of Central African States (CEEAC)," she affirmed.

"Gabon feels very much honored for being chosen to host this office," the country's Deputy Foreign Minister Jules Marius Ogouebandja said.

"This is a testament of prudent policies that have been taken by our higher authorities, especially President Ali Bongo Ondimba, " he told media.

"The choice of Gabon is not only a response to the stability that prevails in our country, but it is also meant to boost our efforts to preserve peace and security within the sub-region," he added.

Before leaving Gabon, the delegation is expected to iron out issues related to the venue and Gabon's labor code and protection of the people to be sent to the office.