Exclusive: UK leans towards backing UAE's Lana Nusseibeh for UN secretary-general

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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.