“At the invitation of the London Olympic Organizing Committee and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), he will carry the Olympic Torch on the final leg of its journey in the United Kingdom,” Deputy Spokesperson Eduardo del Buey told reporters at United Nations Headquarters in New York.

“This is an honour for the secretary-general. He is a firm believer in sports for development and sports for peace,” the spokesman added.

According to him, after taking part in events related to the opening of the London 2012 Olympics, Ban Ki-moon will attend the Opening Ceremony on Friday.

During his visit in London, the UN chief will also hold bilateral meetings with British leaders, including the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and the Foreign Secretary William Hague, said del Buey.

The U.N. General Assembly unanimously approved a resolution last October urging countries to stop all hostilities and observe a truce during the London Olympics.