AFRICAN heads of state have endorsed Dr Boutros Boutros Ghali's candidacy for a second term as UN Secretary-General despite opposition from the US, according to an official of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU).
"He has been endorsed," said the official, who added that the OAU might reconsider if the US vetoed Dr Ghali's nomination, as President Clinton's administration has threatened.
"Africa can count on me," Dr Ghali told the summit, stressing that he had championed Africa at the UN.
Mr Clinton sent his expert on African affairs, the Assistant Secretary of State, Mr George Moose, to the OAU summit, which opened in Cameroon on Monday to lobby against the 73-year-old Egyptian diplomat.
Diplomats said the resolution on Dr Ghali clearly left room for a substitute African candidate should Washington make good its veto threat.
Some European countries are discussing a shortened second term for Dr Ghali, whose term expires in December, but Washington has ruled that out.
Earlier in the day, the head of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Mr Hamid Algabid, was quoted as saying he would seek the UN post.
Mr Algabid (55) told the Saudi Gazette his country, Niger, had nominated him to succeed Dr Ghali. "He said a second term for Boutros-Ghali cannot be guaranteed because of opposition from some nations," the newspaper reported.
Mr Algabid's second four-year term as OIC secretary-general expires in December.
He was quoted as saying he would "make efforts to steer the UN clear of its financial problems.
The Middle East peace process will be accelerated for a just solution and reforms at the UN secretariate will be brought about. I am not scared of the challenge.
"Africa must not lose its right to keep the top position of the UN. We are supporting Ghali but we do not wish to lose our right." Mr Algabid said.