French stands out against US in UN election

The UN Security Council resumed the search for a new UN Secretary-General with no sign France is softening opposition to the presumed US favourite, apparently to pay back Washington for blocking a second term for Boutros Boutros-Ghali.

France has consistently voted against the UN Under Secretary Kofi Annan, from Ghana, the strongest candidate to emerge in two days of unofficial balloting in the 15-member council. Mr Annan is the only one of four candidates to surpass the nine council votes required for election. Diplomatic sources said Mr Annan won 12 votes in the first two rounds on Wednesday and 11 in the third. AP - New York