UN: UN Secretary-General Mr Kofi Annan received an unusual standing ovation in the General Assembly yesterday following calls for his resignation from conservative US politicians.
Mr Annan has been accused by some Republicans in the US Congress of presiding over corruption in the UN oil-for-food program for Iraq, administered by the United Nations but supervised by the Security Council.
"I interpret this long ovation as an acknowledgment of your actions and also an expression of confidence in yourself and also of the work you have undertaken at the helm of the United Nations," Assembly President Mr Jean Ping of Gabon said after the applause, which lasted nearly a minute.
"In a world that is held hostage to doubt, by confusion and at times to confrontation, you have always remained a point of reference as well as a source of wisdom and of inspiration for millions of individuals worldwide," Mr Ping said.
US diplomat Mr Patrick Kennedy was among those standing in the General Assembly hall, although the White House has issued no statement of support. "It was merely a sign of respect," a US official said.
Meanwhile, the European Union yesterday also gave its support to Mr Annan. "The EU has full confidence in the competent leadership of Kofi Annan," Dutch Foreign Minister Mr Bernard Bot, whose country holds the EU presidency, wrote to Mr Annan.
On Tuesday, Security Council members also expressed confidence in Mr Annan.