Tharoor second best in UN race

United Nations: India's nominee Shashi Tharoor on Thursday came second in the second 'straw poll' for the United Nations Secretary General's post, diplomats said.

South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki Moon topped the straw poll, an informal voting done to gauge the support enjoyed by the candidates among the UN member states.

Moon was followed by Tharoor who had come second in the first straw poll also.

Thailand Deputy Prime Minister Surakirat Sathirathai was third, followed by Jordan's UN Ambassador Prince Zeid al-Hussein, who joined the race early this month to succeed Kofi Annan who will be leaving the post in December.

Sri Lanka's Jayantha Dhanapala came fifth in the poll.