Geneva - The former Norwegian prime minister, Ms Gro Harlem Brundtland, was elected director general of the World Health Organisation yesterday, delegates said.
Ms Brundtland (58), emerged victorious in the secret ballot conducted by the WHO's 32-member executive committee, they said. Ms Brudntland faced some tough competition from the only other woman candidate, Ms Nafis Sadik, of Pakistan, as well as three WHO insiders.
In Dublin, the Minister for Overseas Development Assistance and Human Rights, Ms Liz O'Donnell, welcomed Ms Brundtland's election, describing her as a "leader of international stature with authority and vision".
