Story highlights Antonio Guterres headed the UN's refugee efforts for a decadeHe was a popular candidate throughout Security Council straw polls(CNN) The United Nations Security Council Thursday formally approved the nomination of former Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Guterres to be the next secretary-general. The recommendation now goes to the 193-member UN General Assembly for final ratification. Guterres, who was head of the UN's refugee agency for 10 years until 2015, emerged as the Security Council's runaway favorite after the latest in a series of straw polls on Wednesday. JUST WATCHED Guterres: Migration can help solve Europe's problems Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Guterres: Migration can help solve Europe's problems 06:15The informal votes were used by the Security Council to thin the ranks of the 13 candidates who entered the race to become the new face of the UN. The quick approval signaled that Russia and the United States could work together on UN issues despite the serious differences dividing them in hotspots around the globeRead More

Source: CNN October 06, 2016 16:07 UTC