Ban Ki-moon put forward as UN secretary general
Mr Ban has long been the favourite for the post
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Monday, 09, Oct 2006 07:49
The UN security council has formally selected South Korean foreign minister Ban Ki-moon as the eighth secretary general of the organisation.
Once the 192 member countries approve Mr Ban's nomination as expected later this week, the 62-year-old will take over when current incumbent Kofi Annan steps down at the end of this year.
The 15 security council members today voted after the South Korean won all four of the UN's straw polls, prompting the leading six candidates to withdraw from the race.
It was widely predicted that Mr Annan's successor would hail from Asia, with the last secretary general from the continent being Burma's U Thant, who stepped down on December 31st 1971.
The previous four secretary generals have been from European, South American and African countries.
A statement released by the UN today said: "The security council today formally chose South Korean foreign minister Ban Ki-moon as its nominee to be the next secretary general of the UN for a five year term when incumbent Kofi Annan steps down on December 31st.
"The nomination now goes to the 192-member general assembly for formal approval."