Ban Ki-moon re-elected as UN chief

22 June 2011 01:07 am - 29 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The United Nations has re-elected Ban Ki-moon for a second term as leader of the global body as it continues to confront conflict and crises across strategic regions.

The 67-year-old former South Korean foreign minister was elected by acclamation by the UN General Assembly. His second five-year term will start on January 1 and run through 2016.

A beaming Mr Ban bowed to ambassadors and diplomats gathered at the UN headquarters after the result was announced.

"No-one understands the burdens of this role better than he and my government is grateful that he has taken them on," said US ambassador Susan Rice, one of a host of envoys from around the world who praised Mr Ban in speeches after the election.

"Secretary-general Ban has been a champion for peace and security," Ms Rice added, calling the post "one of the toughest jobs in the world".

South Korea's foreign minister, Kim Sung-Hwan, told the assembly it was probably "the most impossible job on Earth" but that Mr Ban's home country was now in "great joy".

Outspoken in faulting the leaders of Arab countries facing protests, but criticised himself by some human rights groups, Mr Ban had been certain to win re-election for several months.

He declared his candidacy two weeks ago and was given formal backing by the UN Security Council on Friday. With no challenger to force a contest, the General Assembly meeting was only going to be an official celebration.

Mr Ban has said climate change, a topic the United Nations struggled with during his first five years, is his top challenge. He has called the battle against global warming "the most important priority" for mankind.

The UN chief has also vowed to keep speaking up for the protesters taking on long-ruling leaders in the Arab world.

Just before the election, Mr Ban again urged Syria's president, Bashar al-Assad, to carry out credible reforms "without delay", after the Syrian leader offered a national dialogue to end months of anti-regime protests.

His aggressive line on Libya and Syria has not always pleased China and Russia.

But Mr Ban has done nothing in his first five years to tempt the Security Council's permanent five - China, Russia, the United States, France and Britain - to use their veto to stop his second term.

His insistence on "quiet diplomacy", however, has got him into trouble, first with Myanmar and more recently with China.

Rights groups were particularly critical when he failed to raise the case of detained Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo in a meeting with China's president Hu Jintao in November.

Mr Ban's entourage has indicated he will be tougher in his second term, but he has also acknowledged his critics.

"I know that I am not the perfect person. You know, everybody has some strength and weakness," he said in announcing his candidacy this month.

"I am also a man with some weaknesses but these weaknesses can be complemented by your wisdom, by your support and by the support of my senior advisers."

- AFP

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Comments - 29

AMi Wednesday, 22 June 2011 04:03 AM

Hoooooooooooo Hooooooooooooooo ......

sama Wednesday, 22 June 2011 03:21 PM

elected not for UN but for US. They will make use a Asian to spoil Asian countries.

ASHRAFF NAZIM Wednesday, 22 June 2011 08:28 AM

MOON HAS ACCEPTED ANOTHER TERM TO SERVE THE US AND UN - ASHRAFF NAZIM DUBAI

Javi Wednesday, 22 June 2011 08:11 AM

Be steady on your power and decision at least in this second/last term, don't dance for others music

borusinha crew Wednesday, 22 June 2011 06:57 AM

He now sticks only to development work suspending foolish talks. "Suspend that for country forward" is his theme now..

sandman Wednesday, 22 June 2011 06:21 AM

This American stooge triumphs again thanks to his Western masters. He has NOT lifted a finger against any Western or even Israeli aggression. How many times have the Israelis shown their middle finger at the world and at the UN ? But the UN conveniently forgets everything.

aunty pantie Wednesday, 22 June 2011 05:41 AM

Nice chance for Booruwanse to stage another hunger strike.

Rajendra Samaranayak Wednesday, 22 June 2011 05:30 AM

Congrats, Pl teach our monkey leaders a GOOD lesson

Rahmathullah Wednesday, 22 June 2011 05:07 AM

Don't worry, you can be the life time Secretary General of UN as long as you agree with USA in each and every of their whims and fancies.

spark Wednesday, 22 June 2011 05:02 AM

This includes the LTTE both locally and internationally. Regarding funding... the SLA is also funded by each and evry citizen of SL...but not for funding crime.

Manjula Wednesday, 22 June 2011 04:47 AM

Americans, Brits and French have all the reasons to celebrate here since they have reinstated their fully obiedient puppet for another full term.

Nicky Karunarathna Wednesday, 22 June 2011 04:23 AM

World and humanity stepping from darkness to darkness and no clear sight or sign of light. Truth is the casualty. More wars and horrific wars are looming with this appointment. Falsehood, anger, hatred, corruptions is order of the day since this organization was created for White man to dominate the world. This puppet will dance and dance and ultimately have his devil dance to their tune! Give me a break!

Citizen Wednesday, 22 June 2011 04:12 AM

Where's Wimal Weerawansa?

Paul Wednesday, 22 June 2011 04:16 AM

My heartiest congratulations on your re election,Mr. Secretary General!

mallika LEE Wednesday, 22 June 2011 04:13 AM

Congratulations.

karu Wednesday, 22 June 2011 01:14 AM

some are in serious trouble !!!!!!!!!!!

Abdur Razzak Wednesday, 22 June 2011 04:02 AM

Hey hey i told before it's goind to be full-moon again..

Fayad Wednesday, 22 June 2011 03:42 AM

What about the LTTE crimes against humanity with support of the diaspora funding.

Nighthawk Wednesday, 22 June 2011 03:36 AM

SL supported Moon, because, he is still waiting for SL Govt's approval to begin the investigation :-)

Lanke Banda Wednesday, 22 June 2011 03:19 AM

High time Countries who are discriminated by the UN gives up membership and form another Body to act in indiscriminately.
This UN Sect.Gen. is hell bent to please certain Western Countries who calls the shots and move the Puppet of A U.N.Sect. Gen Ban. If not why are even Latin American Countries Oppose this Man.

RAVI - MANNAR Wednesday, 22 June 2011 03:22 AM

THANKS GOD - RAVI

Kornelius Wednesday, 22 June 2011 03:07 AM

Jackals may howl but the moon will rise!

Ruwan Basnayake Wednesday, 22 June 2011 03:07 AM

Ban Ki Moon elected for a second term. This Govt that heaped insults , Burnt Effigies and called this man all sorts of names, now look like a bunch crude vulgar yokums that have no idea how to conduct themselves in civilized international forums. The president and his advisers that encouraged these demonstrations should eat crow and stop political point scoring to placate the ignorent masses that elected him. Wimalawansa, Mervyn Sliva and his suicide squad take note . The members of the UN never heard of these ignorent thugs, They are good to terrorise poor peasnts not intelligent voters.

spark Wednesday, 22 June 2011 02:59 AM

Welcome Sir...we hope before this term ends all perpetrators of crimes against humanity will be at their rightful place behind bars.

SWDR Wednesday, 22 June 2011 02:37 AM

SUDAN(SL) PRESIDENT??

Calistus Jayatilleke Wednesday, 22 June 2011 02:29 AM

That big "farce" unto death by one of our super patriot ministers was a real waste of time as Mr. Ban is now re-elected to his post and our Minister has to eat his own words!

nishan Wednesday, 22 June 2011 02:06 AM

So when our Modawansa is going to committ suicide infrom of UN office? Why our "big talkers" extend their support for Moon?

Sherman G. de Silva Wednesday, 22 June 2011 01:47 AM

Must be over the Moon:)

American life Wednesday, 22 June 2011 01:37 AM

I wonder where is wimal ? ? ...lol

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Ban Ki-moon re-elected as UN chief

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