UN's Ban Ki-moon to push Times Square 2017 countdown button

NEW YORK - The Associated Press

AP photo

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will perform one last ceremonial duty before ending his 10-year leadership of the world body.

Organizers of the Times Square New Year's Eve celebration announced Monday that Ban will push the Waterford crystal button to begin the official 60-second countdown to 2017.
     
The South Korean statesman was elected as the eighth secretary-general by the United Nations General Assembly in October 2006. Dec. 31 will be his last day in office. Antonio Guterres, of Portugal, will take over on Jan. 1.
     
Times Square Alliance head Tim Tompkins praised Ban's legacy of "bringing people and nations together, supporting refugee relief efforts and opposing war."
     
Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to watch the ball drop at midnight Saturday in Times Square.