Thai candidate gives up bid for top UN job

Bangkok, Oct 5 (UNI) Former Thai foreign minister and deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirathai today withdrew his candidature for the next United Nations Secretary-General.

Mr Surakiart, whose candidacy for the top UN job was backed by the 10-nation Association for Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), called on Thailand's Prime Minister Surayad Chulanont to inform him about his decision.

The Thai Prime Minister announced the withdrawal of Mr Surakiart's candidacy after the meeting at government house.

''He said he would not continue to be in the race,'' Mr Surayud told reporters.

Mr Surakiart was part of former caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's government, which was overthrown by the September 19 military coup.

In an informal ballot on Monday, the 15 members of the Security Council gave the South Korean Foreign Minister 14 favourable votes to succeed Secretary-General Kofi Annan. There was one abstention in the vote.

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