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Antonio Guterres of Portugal Appointed as Next U.N. Secretary-General

The 67-year-old Guterres, who served as the U.N. refugee chief until last December, will take up the job of the world's top diplomat on Jan. 1.
Image: U.N. Secretary-General-designate Antonio Guterre
U.N. Secretary-General-designate, Antonio Guterres, right, listens during a meeting of the U.N. General Assembly concerning his appointment on Oct. 13 at U.N. headquarters.Bebeto Matthews / AP
/ Source: The Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS — The 193 U.N. member states have elected Portugal's former prime minister Antonio Guterres by acclamation as the next secretary-general of the United Nations.

Assembly President Peter Thompson introduced the resolution, said members wanted it approved by acclamation, and banged his gavel in approval as diplomats broke into applause.

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The 67-year-old Guterres, who served as the U.N. refugee chief for 10 years until last December, will take up the job of the world's top diplomat on Jan. 1 when Ban Ki-moon's second five-year term ends.

The Security Council nominated Guterres by acclamation last week after its sixth informal poll.

Guterres topped all six polls, which included a total of 13 candidates — seven women and six men.