UNITED NATIONS: UN chief Ban Ki-moon has picked Hollywood heart-throb George Clooney, a passionate advocate for an end to war and famine in Sudan’s Darfur region, as the world body’s latest Messenger of Peace, an official said on Friday.

The Oscar-winning US actor was recognized for his tireless efforts to focus public attention on key international political and social issues, said UN spokeswoman Michele Montas.

Clooney joins eight other internationally renowned individuals chosen to campaign for the UN drive to improve the lives of billions of people around the world.

Other UN peace messengers are Nobel Peace Prize winner and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, Chinese-American cellist Yo-Yo Ma, Oscar-winning US actor Michael Douglas, British primatologist Jane Goodall, Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein of Jordan, Israeli conductor Daniel Barenboim, Brazilian writer Paulo Coelho and Japanese violinist Midori Goto.

“You have seen first-hand the pain experienced by the victims of war and made it your personal mission to help end violence and human suffering,” Ban said as he lauded Clooney’s “dedication to raising awareness and mobilizing action on Darfur”.

“I am deeply honoured to receive this appointment,” Clooney said. —AFP