UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- UN envoy for West Africa told the Security Council Wednesday that the United Nations will support stability and nation-building in Gambia.

According to Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterress, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, the UN chief's Special Representative and Head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), briefed the Security Council Wednesday morning via video-conference.

"He will continue to promote a smooth and peaceful transition of power in the country, and further advocate for national unity and reconciliation," said Dujarric, adding that UNOWAS has already deployed staff to Gambia to assist the Government in ensuring a smooth transfer from the previous administration to the new authorities.

The closed-door meeting was in follow-up to Security Council resolution 2237, adopted on January 19, on the crisis in The Gambia, which requested the Secretary-General to update the Council within 10 days.

"Mr. Chambas indicated that his office will spare no effort in supporting stability and nation-building in Gambia," said Dujarric, adding that President Adama Barrow is scheduled to return to Gambia Thursday. Chambas is expected to accompany him from Dakar.

Earlier on January 19, Barrow was sworn in as Gambian president at the Gambian embassy in Dakar, capital of Senegal.