Mr. Annan nominated Mr. Ekeus after being unable to find a candidate the five Security Council members with veto power could agree upon. But the nomination has become controversial. During his previous tenure as arms chief for Iraq, Mr. Ekeus accused Baghdad of deceiving inspectors. Iraq, in turn, accused Mr. Ekeus of spying for the United States and deliberately prolonging the sanctions that were imposed on Iraq when the Gulf War ended in 1991. France and Russia oppose the nomination, saying the United Nations should put forth a new face, someone who can win Iraq's cooperation.
China says it prefers a candidate from a developing nation.