New York, 5 October 2006 – Vaira Vike-Freiberga, Zeid Ra’ad Zeid al-Hussein, and Ashraf Ghani formally withdrew from the selection process yesterday and today. Vike-Freiberga’s statement from her press office can be read here. The Permanent Missions of Afghanistan and Jordan confirmed that Mr. Ghani and Mr. Zeid al-Hussein, respectively, have withdrawn their candidacies also, in letters to the President of the Security Council.

Media reports of Surakiart Sathirathai’s withdrawal followed a comment on Thursday by Thai interim Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont that Surakiart would not continue his campaign.

Jayantha Dhanapala ended his campaign before the 2 October informal straw poll in the Security Council, and Shashi Tharoor made a press statement offering Ban Ki-Moon his congratulations after the 2 October poll.

The Security Council is scheduled to take a formal vote on Monday, 9 October. A decisive vote will allow the Council to formally nominate a candidate to the General Assembly for approval.