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Portuguese former PM has profile for UN chief: president

Xinhua, February 3, 2016 Adjust font size:

Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva said here Tuesday that Antonio Guterres had "undoubtedly the profile" for the post of United Nations secretary general for the role he played during the last 10 years as UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

"Antonio Guterres leaves a legacy in the United Nations' system and for the way he conducted his work as high commissioner he is today a highly respected and considered voice all over the world," Cavaco Silva said at a ceremony at the presidential palace to award Guterres with the Order of the Cross of Liberty.

Guterres told reporters there were "many difficulties" surrounding his candidacy for UN secretary-general.

"It is well known that it's not easy due to the complex circumstances that surround that election. Nevertheless, I feel that it is my duty to be available," he said.

He said consultations at the international level on possible support for his candidacy had not yet begun "with one or two small exceptions."

"I feel I have the obligation to say that I'm available to do much more in the field of public service," Guterres said.

Cavaco Silva said he hoped the international community could acknowledge Guterres' "leadership qualities and great expertise" shown in his work as UN High Commissioner for Refugees and that he "has the full support of Portugal, I can even say that it has the widespread support of the Portuguese people."

Guterres, 66, finished his second term as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees at the end of December last year after 10 years in the position.

He was Portuguese prime minister between 1995 and 2002 and president of Socialist International from 1999 to 2005.

UN Scretary-General Ban Ki-moon will leave his post at the end of this year after having served two terms. Endit