Somalia awaits as Ban Ki-moon takes over at UN

Dec 31, 2006, 18:29 GMT

New York - South Korea's Ban Ki-moon was taking over as the eighth secretary general of the United Nations as the New Year was ushered in Sunday, with Somalia among his first urgent tasks.

The situation in the Sudanese crisis region of Darfur and the festering problems of the Middle East were further immediate challenges for the 62-year-old former South Korean foreign minister.

Ban vowed when taking his oath of office earlier in December to 'restore trust in the organization' and promote the 'highest ethical standards,' in the wake of corruption scandals that tarnished the last few years of outgoing Kofi Annan's 10-year tenure.

At the same time Sunday, the Security Council's composition was making a regular change. Italy, Belgium, South Africa, Indonesia, and Panama were moving into the UN's 15-nation top decision-making body.

Their two-year terms saw them taking over from Greece, Denmark, Tanzania, Japan and Argentina in the body, where permanent members the US, Russia, China, France and Britain have veto powers.

UN sources said there was much expectation over how Ban, generally seen as rather colourless, would acquit himself ion the new post. An indication would be his first appearance in the security Council.

Ban spent 35 years serving the South Korean government, becoming foreign minister in January 2004, which he held until his appointment to the UN's top post with US backing.