Ban Ki-Moon next UN chief

2006-10-09 16:43

New York - The security council officially nominated South Korean foreign minister Ban Ki-Moon to be the next UN secretary-general, the council president announced on Monday.

"The security council has just recommended to the general assembly that Mr Ban Ki-Moon be appointed secretary-general of the United Nations" on January 1 when Secretary-General Kofi Annan's second five-year term expires," Japan's UN ambassador Kenzo Oshima told reporters after the council voted at a private meeting.

Under the UN charter, the 15-member security council makes a recommendation for the next secretary-general to the 192-member general assembly, which must give final approval.

An honour

Reuters reports that Ban said his nomination was an honour, but came at a difficilt time.

"This should be a moment of joy, but instead I stand here with a very heavy heart," Ban told reporters in Seoul.

"Despite the concerted warning from the international community, North Korea has gone ahead with a nuclear test."

Ban said if he was appointed secretary-general, he would make the most of the mandate given by the UN charter to "contribute as much as I can to the resolution of all kinds of problems - including the North Korean nuclear issue - that may threaten international peace and security". - AP/Reuters

- News24