Thai Candidate Abandons Race For Top U.N. Job
Nji Che - All Headline News African Correspondent Bangkok, Thailand (AHN) - Former Thai deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirathai has withdrawn from the race to succeed the United Nations Secretary General when he steps down later this year. Sathirathai gave up his aspirations as the Security Council members made it clear South Korea's Ban Ki-moon was the man for the post through an informal vote conducted on Monday. Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont told journalists on Thursday, "He said he would not continue to be in the race." The 15 members of the Security Council have voted South Korean Foreign Minister. Ki-moon won 14 votes and one abstention to succeed Kofi Annan. A formal vote has been slated for October 9. The winner shall be presented to the 192-member U.N. General Assembly for approval. Late last month, Surin Pitsuwan, a Thai Muslim and former foreign minister with good international repute was tipped to be a last-minute candidate for the job. But before that speculation, Ban Ki-moon had emerged the most likely candidate in initial polling.
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