US blocks appointment of ex-Palestinian PM as UN Libya envoy

The UN’s choice of former Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad for the post of special envoy to Libya has been challenged by the Trump administration. “For too long the UN has been unfairly biased in favour of the Palestinian Authority to the detriment of our allies in Israel,” claimed Nikki Haley, the new US ambassador to the UN.

A spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres defended the appointment. Fayyad, he insisted, was chosen “solely” on his “recognised personal qualities and his competence for that position.”

It is not yet clear if the US objection will block Fayyad’s appointment as Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), which requires the Security Council’s approval. The US is likely to use its veto in the council. If the appointment does go ahead, however, Fayyad will replace German diplomat Martin Kobler, who has been in the post since November 2015.

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The UN support for a two-state solution and its recent pronounced opposition to Israeli settlements are at odds with the new Trump administration, arguably the most pro-Israeli administration the US has had. The new president has said that he will recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and move the US embassy there from Tel Aviv.

“The United State does not currently recognise a Palestinian state,” added Haley. “Washington will not support the signal this appointment would send within the United Nations.”

Meanwhile, reports have emerged that former Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni is currently in talks with the UN secretary-general’s office regarding the position of under secretary-general. If successful, she would be the first Israeli to take up such a post at the international organisation whose resolutions Israel generally treats with contempt.

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UN officials believe that the US will go back on its opposition to Fayyad’s appointment in return for support from the Security Council for Livni’s appointment. According to the Israeli politician’s office, however, “no official offer has been received.”

This is not the first time that Livni has shown an interest in a position with the UN. She was reported to have sought a similar position under former UN chief Ban Ki-moon, which she subsequently denied.

Her appointment as under secretary-general would be controversial, as Livni stands accused of overseeing war crimes during the Israeli war on Gaza in 2008-2009 when she was foreign minister. More than 1,400 Palestinians, the vast majority of them civilians, were killed by Israel during the military offensive.

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Livni has since evaded being questioned over war crimes whilst traveling in Europe. Last month, she cancelled a visit to Brussels when she learnt that Belgian prosecutors were preparing to detain and question her as part of an investigation into Israeli crimes in Gaza.