Ban elected as next UN Secretary General

UNITED NATIONS: The UN General Assembly approved South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-Moon on Friday as the next UN Secretary-General, the last step in the process allowing him to assume the post on January 1.   

Ban, 62, is the first Asian leader since Burma's U Thant held the post from 1961 to 1971.

Asian nations had insisted it was their turn for the job to succeed Kofi Annan, a Ghanaian, who has led the 192-member world body for the past decade.

Ban was approved by acclamation for a five-year term as the world''s top diplomat.

Immediately after the election, Assembly President Sheikha Haya Al Khalifa of Bahrain, Secretary General Kofi Anan and chairmen of regional groups congratulated Ban, who was present in the chamber, on his election.

Earlier, Security Council President Kenzo Oshima informed the Assembly about the Council's decision to ecommend Ban for the post.