South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-Moon was nominated to succeed Kofi Annan as the new UN Secretary General.(File Photo)

The UN Security Council on Monday issued an official communique at a closed meeting, formally recommending Ban Ki-Moon of South Korea as the new U.N. Secretary-General to succeed Kofi Annan.

The Security Council has considered the question of the recommendation for the appointment of the Secretary-General of the Untied Nations, and recommends to the General Assembly that Mr. Ban Ki-Moon be appointed Secretary-General of the United Nations for a term of office from Jan. 1 2007 to Dec. 31 2011, the communique said.

Meanwhile, current U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan welcomed the decision of the Security Council to recommend South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-Moon for the top U.N. job. In a statement, Annan said he has the highest respect for Ban and already has had the pleasure of working with him both in his present capacity and as Chef de Cabinet to the President of the General Assembly.

Annan expressed the hope that the General Assembly will be able to reach a decision on this important matter in the near future, so that the incoming Secretary-General designate will have time to prepare fully for his assumption of office on Jan. 1. Annan also pledged his effort to do everything possible to ensure a smooth transition.

Editor: Yan