According to Ibrahim, the next stage of the preliminary elections will be held in the Security Council.
The election campaign to replace Secretary General Ban Ki-moon kicked off in December 2015, after all member states received letters on the procedure to elect the next UN chief.
The UN Security Council recommends a candidate to the General Assembly, where he or she must garner no less than two-thirds of the votes to be appointed secretary general, according to the UN Charter.
Ban’s successor is slated to assume office on January 1, 2017, one day after the former South Korean prime minister steps down after two five-year terms.
SPUTNIK/MNA