The Biden administration has ended the deadlock over the next head of the World Trade Organization (WTO) by expressing its "strong support" for Nigeria's ex-finance minister.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was frontrunner for the role until the Trump administration last October said it wanted another woman, South Korea's Yoo Myung-hee.

Ms Yoo has now withdrawn her candidacy.

If confirmed in the role, Dr Okonjo-Iweala would be the first woman and the first African to lead the WTO.

Dr Okonjo-Iweala on Friday praised her rival for the post and said: "There is vital work ahead to do together."

(BBC)