Security Council nominates Portugal's Guterres as U.N. chief

The United Nations Security Council on October 6 unanimously nominated former Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Guterres to be the next Secretary-General, recommending that the 193-member General Assembly appoint him for five years from Jan. 1, 2017.

Antonio Guterres, High Commissioner for Refugees, pauses during a news conference for the launch of the Global Humanitarian Appeal 2016 at the United Nations European headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland December 7, 2015. (Photo: Reuters)
Antonio Guterres, High Commissioner for Refugees, pauses during a news conference for the launch of the Global Humanitarian Appeal 2016 at the United Nations European headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland December 7, 2015. (Photo: Reuters)

The General Assembly is likely to meet next week to approve the appointment of Guterres, 67, who would replace Ban Ki-moon, 72, of the Republic of Korea. Ban will step down at the end of 2016 after serving two terms.

Ban, speaking during a visit to Rome, described Guterres as a "super choice" as his successor.

Guterres was prime minister of Portugal from 1995 to 2002 and served as United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees from 2005 to 2015. Guterres is due to speak to reporters in Lisbon later on Thursday.

Guterres was prime minister of Portugal from 1995 to 2002 and served as United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees from 2005 to 2015. Guterres is due to speak to reporters in Lisbon later on October 6.

The council met behind closed doors on October 6 to adopt a two-paragraph resolution recommending to the General Assembly that Guterres be appointed.

French U.N. Ambassador Francois Delattre said Guterres was "the right leader able to bring the nations and the community of nations together."