Kouchner resumes French health role

Bernard Kouchner was highly praised by Kofi Annan for his work in Kosovo

PARIS, France -- Bernard Kouchner, who last month stepped down as Kosovo's civilian administrator, has been appointed French health minister.

Kouchner, 61, held the post of health minister from 1997 to 1999 before he took up his United Nations post.

His return to the left-wing government had been widely expected in Paris, but Prime Minister Lionel Jospin first had to work out Kouchner's responsibilities with Labour Minister Elisabeth Guigou, whose "superministry" includes the health portfolio.

The current health minister, Dominique Gillot, will become minister for the handicapped and elderly.

As co-founder of the medical aid charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders), Kouchner personified the "humanitarian interference" ideal that inspired the "French doctors" who followed him to care for refugees and war victims.

As humanitarian action minister in 1988-93, Kouchner helped persuade the U.N. to intervene in the affairs of another country for the first time by setting up a protection zone for the Kurds of northern Iraq after the 1991 Gulf War.

Although sometimes criticised as a publicity seeker, his passionate eloquence and rugged good looks have lent a rare celebrity quality to non-governmental organisations and helped them win support and funds.

Last year U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan praised Kouchner for his efforts in Kosovo and for not shying away from taking "dramatic action to address urgent needs."

Kouchner took control of Kosovo at the end of the alliance's 78-day bombing campaign against Yugoslavia.

"Though much remains to be done and many wounds remain unhealed, the healing has begun and a better future is now in sight -- not least, thanks to the tireless efforts and extraordinary contribution of Bernard Kouchner," Annan said.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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