Pakistan greets new U.N. chief

Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz have felicitated Ban Ki- Moon of South Korea on his election as the new secretary general of the United Nations.

"Our unanimous election is a testament to your leadership, statesmanship and political and diplomatic acumen," Musharraf said in his message.

He expressed his confidence that under his leadership the role of the United Nations in maintaining international peace and security would be strengthened.

In his message, Aziz said that Ban Ki-Moon election was a clear recognition of his long and rich experience in multilateral diplomacy, wisdom and vision to lead the United Nations in a time of both profound challenges and opportunities.

"I have every confidence that you would fulfill the exacting demands of this high office with every success," he said.

Aziz said, "I look forward to working with you in advancing the common agenda of U.N. reform, including in creating greater coherence in the U.N. system, to help attune this organization to the demands of our times."

He said that internal reform undoubtedly remained crucial to the ability of the United Nations to acquit itself of the trust placed in it by the peoples of the world.

Source: Xinhua