António Guterres
Photo: AP
UN secretary-general insists on choice for Fayyad to head Libya mission
UN Chief António Guterres doubles down on pick for former Palestinian prime minister Salam Fayyad to lead political mission in Libya; says rumors of appointing Tzipi Livni to senior position in UN mere ‘speculations.’
The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has insisted on the nomination of former Palestinian prime minister Salam Fayyad to lead the UN political mission in Libya, despite opposition from Israel and the USA.
“Fayyad is the right man for the right job. He has the ability and he has values,” Guterres stated.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres (Photo: EPA)
In an interview with Sky News in Arabic, the UN chief said that “Fayyad’s name was met with opposition by some states,” but emphasized that the former Palestinian Authority prime minister would “do extremely good work in Libya by rallying the influential players in the country around a political solution that would enable Libya to overcome the current crisis.”
Guterres was also asked about an apparent deal he is considering involving the appointment of Israel's former foreign minister Tzipi Livni (Zionist Union) to a senior position in the United Nations at the rank of Under-Secretary-General in return for the US withdrawing its objection to a Palestinian appointment. “These are just speculations,” he replied.
Former Palestinian prime minister Salam Fayyad (Photo: Gil Yohanan)
In an separate interview with Al Hadath from the Saudi-owned pan-Arab television news channel Al Arabiya, he expressed his regret at the opposition put forth by a number of countries to Fayyad’s appointment.
The initiative to block Fayyad from being sent to Libya was spearheaded by the US and Israel when the former’s new ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, voiced her disappointment in Guterres for appointing Fayyad.
US Ambassador to UN Nikki Haley
"For too long the UN has been unfairly biased in favor of the Palestinian Authority to the detriment of our allies in Israel," Haley wrote in a letter.
Speaking at the Jerusalem Conference on Monday morning, President Reuven Rivlin touched on the rumors of Livni’s possible appointment in the UN.
Tzipi Livni (Photo: Knesset Spokesman's Office)
“It is a complicated option for a former Israeli minister to be nominated for a top role in the UN,” he said.
However, he went on to say that it could afford Israel unique opportunities in its quest to repair and renew frayed relations with the UN.
President Rivlin (Photo: Israel Bardugo)
“Indeed, for years we were (in disagreement) but I never cast any doubt on her abilities and skills that she showed and continues to show to the people and State of Israel. Of all the days when we feel the need to renew Israel’s connections with the UN, Livni’s appointment could constitute a blessing for Israel.”
