NEW YORK: Former Portuguese prime minister Antonio Guterres was sworn in as the next secretary general of the United Nations on Monday becoming the ninth leader of the organisation. Guterres will officially take over the top post on January 1, 2017, for a term of five years from current UN chief Ban Ki-Moon, who was at the helm of the world body for the past decade. Taking the oath of office, Guterres committed himself to carrying out the functions of UN secretary general “with the interest of the United Nations only in view” and without accepting instructions “from any government or other authority.” “I am deeply honoured by the trust and confidence member states have placed in me,” Guterres said after being sworn in. — dpa
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