Jordanian enters race to succeed Annan as UN chief

UNITED NATIONS, Sep 5 (Reuters) Jordan's ambassador to the United Nations, Prince Zeid Ra'ad Zeid Al-Hussein, has entered the race to become the next U N secretary-general, he said today.

Zeid becomes the fifth declared candidate to succeed Ghanaian Kofi Annan, who completes his second five-year term at the end of the year. Zeid's nomination was submitted by Jordan's government.

The other four candidates are Asians, and most U N members say it is Asia's turn to lead the world body. Jordan is technically a member of the Asian group of countries at the United Nations.

The other candidates so far are South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki Moon, Shashi Tharoor of India, the U N undersecretary-general for public information; Jayantha Dhanapala of Sri Lanka, a former U N disarmament official; and Surakiart Sathirathai, Thailand's deputy prime minister.

REUTERS MS HT2020