The battle for Tripoli continues as the residue of Gaddafi loyalists in several southern and central areas provide resistance to Libyan rebels.

Tackling just five health factors could prevent millions of premature deaths and increase global life expectancy by almost five years, the UN's World Health Organisation says.

Poor childhood nutrition, unsafe sex, alcohol, bad sanitation and hygiene, and high blood pressure are to blame for around a quarter of the 60 million premature deaths around the world each year, the Global Health Risks report says.

Former prime minister Helen Clark has taken her political skills to the world stage, confirmed unanimously this morning by the UN general assembly as the new head of the United Nations' Development Programme.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon nominated Miss Clark to the job last week, and with his recommendation her nomination was unanimously approved by the UN General Assembly this morning.

Miss Clark, Labour prime minister from 1999-2008, joins the UN program on April 20.

Helen Clark has officially been nominated by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for confirmation as the new administrator of the United Nations Development Programme for a four year term.

Mr Ki-Moon has requested the General Assembly confirm Miss Clark.

The UNDP is the United Nations' global development network, providing training, advice and support for developing countries. It employs nearly 8,000 people in 166 countries with a budget of $5 billion.

Former Labour prime minister from 1999-2008 Helen Clark is set to be named the new UN Development Program chief.

Highly placed sources have told The Trans-Tasman Political Letter that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon is confirming the appointment today.

The UNDP administrator job is the third highest ranking member of the United Nations after the United Nations Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General.