Ban Ki-moon to formally take U.N. helm

[madokie]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061214/ap_on_re_as/un_next_secretary_general

By EDITH M. LEDERER, Associated Press Writer




UNITED NATIONS - South Korea's Ban Ki-moon formally takes the reins of the United Nations Thursday as the institution grapples with internal reforms, volatility in the Middle East and international standoffs over the nuclear ambitions of North Korea and Iran.

Ban, who is being sworn-in before the General Assembly in a ceremony also honoring outgoing Secretary-General Kofi Annan, will not officially start his new job until Jan. 1, when he will become the eighth secretary-general of the 192-nation world body.

A 62-year-old career diplomat and former foreign minister of South Korea, Ban was unanimously elected to succeed Annan in October by the General Assembly, which by tradition rotates between regions in electing the secretary-general. Ban will become the first Asian to lead the world body in 35 years.

General Assembly President Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa will administer the oath of office to Ban, who will swear to conduct himself solely in the interests of the United Nations, and refuse to accept instructions from any government or other authority.