Pakistan backs S. Korean FM for UN slot

UNITED NATIONS—Pakistan's UN Ambassador Munir Akram has welcomed the prospect of South Korean Foreign Minister Ban ki-Moon becoming the next UN Secretary-general, and assured him of his government's full support.
Mr. Ban's election to the UN top job was virtually assured after an informal poll Monday in which he finished way ahead of other candidates, with all thefive veto-bearing permanent members of the Security Council supporting him.
"We are very satisfied with the likely election of Mr. Ban" as the world body's chief, Ambassador Akram said in an interview with APP's special Correspondent at UN Headquarters in New York.
Pakistan, he said, has always had "excellent relations" with South Korea. "We worked with the Republic of Korea in the 'Uniting for Consensus' group on UN Security Council reform."
Ambassador Akram said Pakistan would work closely with Mr. Ban when he eventually takes over as the UN Secretary-General. With its recent election as the chairman of the developing countries group of 77, Pakistan will in a key position at the UN in 2007 when its assumed the post. The G-77 has 132 members.--APP —Agencies