UN chief maintains Fayyad is the right choice as Libya envoy despite US objection

The United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Monday defended his decision to appoint former Palestinian prime minister as envoy to Libya despite the United States blocking the choice.

During the annual World Government Summit in Dubai, Gutteres said he “deeply regretted” US opposition while maintaining Salam Fayyad was the “right man for the job.”

“I believe hes the right person for the right job at the right moment. He has qualities that are recognised everywhere, he has the competence that nobody denies and Libya requires the kind of capacity that he has. And I think it’s a loss for the Libyan peace process and for the Libyan people that I’m not able to appoint him,” he said.

The north African country has been gripped by war ans unrest since the ouster and death of its former leader, Muammar Gaddafi.

US blocked blocked Fayyad’s appointment of Friday saying it was acting to support its ally Israel.

Fayyad, a former US educated International Monetary Fund official was Prime minister of the Palestinian Authority form 2007 to 2013.

He is well respected for his work in reforming the Palestinian Authority and revitalizing the Palestinian economy.