"I wish to inform you that the Security Council intends to start in early July the process of consideration of candidates which will have been presented to its president by a member state," she told President of the UN General Assembly Jan Eliasson in the letter.

    The letter said the Security Council is committed to working closely with the General Assembly on "this important matter, in a spirit of transparency and dialogue."

    It noted that the United Nations Charter gives a key role to both organs regarding "one of the most essential decisions for the United Nations, the selection of the secretary-general."

    "The president of the Security Council will continue, on behalf of all members, to keep you informed and through you the membership at large, of development in the process within the council," Loj said in her letter.

    She added that as in the past, a member state may present candidates at any stage of the process and the candidates do not necessarily have to be nationals of that country.

    UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan is due to leave the office by the end of this year after serving the world body for two terms. Enditem