Guterres received the most votes in favour, and none of the five permanent Security Council members exercised their veto right in the event of being opposed to the election of the Portuguese.

The former Socialist Party leader and previous head of the UNHCR had won each of the previous five ballots to replace Ban-Ki Moon, whose second and final five-year term comes to an end in December.

For Guterres to be formally recommended to the 193-member General Assembly for election, the Security Council still needs to adopt a resolution behind closed doors.

The resolution needs at least nine votes in favour and no vetoes to pass, a situation which seems highly likely considering the outcome of previous ballots.