Malaysia hopes new UN chief help ensure peace, stability in Asia

Malaysia hopes South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon, who has been appointed new Secretary- General of the United Nations (UN), will ensure peace and security in the Asian region, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said Sunday.

Najib said, Malaysia believes Ban, with his vast experience, will be able to handle some daunting issues concerning the region, which include the crisis in the Middle East and the Korean nuclear issue.

"We hope with his vast experience he (Ban) will be up to the task," Najib told reporters here when asked to comment on Ban's appointment as Kofi Annan's successor from January next year.

Najib, who is also Defense Minister, said Malaysia will give its fullest cooperation to Ban in ensuring the UN becomes an effective world institution.

Ban is also the second Asian to take the position following Myammar's U Thant, who served from 1961-71.

Source: Xinhua