King voices confidence in Guterres’ ability to lead UN

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Friday congratulated Antonio Guterres on his appointment as UN secretary general.

In a telephone call, King Abdullah voiced his confidence in the UN’s ability, under the new secretary general, to continue its international role and achieve its goals in serving humanity and enhancing world peace and security, according to a Royal Court statement.

His Majesty expressed Jordan’s full support for the UN in finding solutions to crises in the Middle East and the world. Guterres praised the Kingdom’s role in dealing with various regional and international issues, and its efforts to achieve stability in many conflict zones around the world, the statement added.

The UN General Assembly on Thursday unanimously approved Guterres’ appointment as UN secretary general for the next five years, as of January 1, succeeding Ban Ki-moon.