Ban hails Guterres as ‘superb choice’

ROME: Departing UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday hailed his likely successor Antonio Guterres as a "superb choice", ahead of the former Portuguese prime minister´s expected backing by the Security Council.

"I know Mr Guterres very well and consider him a superb choice," Ban, who has served as UN chief since January 2007, said in Rome, where he was meeting the Italian president.

"He showed deep compassion for the millions of people who have been forced from their homes," said Ban, referring to the time Guterres spent at the helm of the UN refugee agency.

"He has experience as PM in Portugal. His wide knowledge of world affairs and his lively intellect will serve him well in leading the UN in a critical period."

The UN Security Council is poised to formally back Guterres later on Thursday as the world body´s next secretary general.

His path to leading the world body was smoothed in a decisive Security Council vote on Wednesday, during which 13 of the 15 members backed his candidacy and none of the five veto-holding powers blocked him.  The Security Council was expected to hold a formal vote on the matter later on Thursday.