US blocks Palestinian from leading UN mission in Libya

In this Jan. 18, 2017 file photo, UN Ambassador-designate, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington at her confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has overwhelmingly approved Haley’s nomination to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. AP FILE PHOTO

UNITED NATIONS — The United States has blocked the appointment of the former prime minister of the Palestinian Authority to lead the UN political mission in Libya, saying it was acting to support its ally Israel.

US Ambassador Nikki Haley said late Friday the Trump administration “was disappointed” to see that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had sent a letter to the Security Council announcing his intention to appoint Salam Fayyad as the next UN special representative to Libya.

“For too long the UN has been unfairly biased in favor of the Palestinian Authority to the detriment of our allies in Israel,” Haley said, noting that the US doesn’t currently recognize a Palestinian state.

She said the United States doesn’t support “the signal” Fayyad’s appointment would send within the United Nations.