The United Kingdom is leaning towards supporting Emirati diplomat Lana Nusseibeh as the next Secretary-General of the United Nations. Nusseibeh, 48, has faced criticism over her role in the Sudanese civil war and alleged ties to Israel. If selected, Nusseibeh would be the first woman to lead the UN and the second Arab secretary-general after Egypt's Boutros Boutros-Ghali.
Key points
The United Kingdom is leaning towards supporting Emirati diplomat Lana Nusseibeh as the n…: The United Kingdom is leaning towards supporting Emirati diplomat Lana Nusseibeh as the next Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Nusseibeh, 48, has faced criticism over her role in the Sudanese civil war and alleged ti…: Nusseibeh, 48, has faced criticism over her role in the Sudanese civil war and alleged ties to Israel.
If selected, Nusseibeh would be the first woman to lead the UN and the second Arab secret…: If selected, Nusseibeh would be the first woman to lead the UN and the second Arab secretary-general after Egypt's Boutros Boutros-Ghali.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
The United Kingdom is leaning towards backing Emirati diplomat Lana Nusseibeh as secretary-general of the United Nations, Middle East Eye can reveal.
Nusseibeh's candidacy has drawn controversy over the United Arab Emirates' role in Sudan’s civil war, where it is accused of supporting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, whose mass killings UN investigators say bear the “hallmarks of genocide”. The UAE denies the allegations.
Her candidacy has also drawn criticism over the UAE's close ties with Israel.
Numerous sources close to the British government told Middle East Eye the UK - a permanent member of the UN - is leaning towards supporting Nusseibeh's candidacy for the role, although a final decision has not yet been made.
MEE has approached the British Foreign Office for comment but has not received a reply by the time of publication.
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