U.S. welcomes Ban's nomination as U.N. chief

The United States said on Monday that it welcomes the nomination of South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon by the UN Security Council to be the next UN secretary-general.

"We look forward to prompt action by the UN General Assembly to appoint Foreign Minister Ban so that he may begin to prepare for the challenges awaiting him and the United Nations," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said in a statement.

"The United States believes that Secretary General-designate Ban is the right choice to lead the United Nations at this pivotal time in its history. We believe his commitment to UN reform will lead to a stronger and more effective United Nations," the statement added.

The UN Security Council on Monday formally nominated Ban Ki-moon to succeed Kofi Annan as the next United Nations secretary-general and Ban will become the eighth chief in the world body's 61-year history.

Source: Xinhua