Accra, May 12, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Friday expressed the need for a well-tested diplomat to head the United Nations (UN) after Busumuru Kofi Annan term as the Secretary General ends next year.

He said the UN had assumed the status as the Government of the World, hence the need for a tried and tested hand to be at the helm of affairs.

President Kufuor was speaking at a meeting with Mr Janantha Dhanapala, Senior Presidential Advisor in Sri Lanka and a candidate for the Secretary General's post.

He said Africa had had its turn for the position, after Mr Boutrous Boutrous Ghali of Egypt and Busumuru Annan, adding it was fair that Asia should get the slot in 2007.

Avoiding a blunt endorsement of Mr Dhanapala, he asked Asia to do its homework very well to make it easier for Ghana to support him. "Continue to work around and at the appropriate time Ghana will decide," he said.

Mr Dhanapala said he was seeking the support of Ghana in the spirit of the Non-Aligned Movement, stressing that " Asia had said it unambiguously that it was the time of the Continent to succeed Busumuru Annan.

He said the UN needed a candidate of experience and understanding of the operations of the world body to move the current reforms of the Organisation forward. 12 May 06