Ban Ki-moon denies failing to fight fraud

The UN secretary general said it is "unfair" to question his record on battling internal fraud and corruption despite criticism from two former top officials who say he improperly blocked their efforts.

Ban Ki-moon said yesterday that he has pushed accountability and ethics "from day one" since becoming secretary general in 2007.

But two senior UN officials in charge of fighting corruption at the world body have, in the past month, blasted Mr Ban's leadership and accused him of leaving the oversight agency in tatters, by ignoring UN hiring rules that require filling vacancies based on experience and qualifications.