The United Nations' human rights body will help establish the rule of law in Chechnya, the United Nations' top human rights official said on Friday.

"There is no question that the federal authorities are seized with this issue ... I have offered the support and expertise of my office in these efforts," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour told a press conference, the Interfax news agency reported.

During her visit to Russia, Arbour traveled to the Caucasus regions of Chechnya, Ingushetia and North Ossetia.

A long-awaited reconstruction process is underway in Chechnya, Arbour said.

Arbour welcomed the establishment of Chechnya's political institutions and emphasized the transfer of power to local authorities. Meanwhile, she noted problems in Chechnya's law enforcement agencies and unofficial units.

Arbour said the UN human rights body will open an office in Moscow in several months' time.

The UN top human rights official earlier met President Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials.

(Xinhua News Agency February 25, 2006)