UAE adviser rebukes Iranian speaker over UN nominee remarks
Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, the diplomatic adviser to the UAE President, has pushed back against comments made by Iran’s parliamentary speaker regarding the candidacy of Emirati diplomat Lana Nusseibeh for the top United Nations post. The senior official described the remarks as lacking impartiality and inconsistent with the UN’s founding purpose.
Gargash defends nomination against criticism
Writing on his X account, Gargash stated that a substantive and open debate about Nusseibeh’s vision, qualifications and bid for the UN’s highest office was both legitimate and welcome. He noted that the nomination of a professional figure known for building consensus and prioritising diplomatic solutions would naturally draw objections from certain hardline voices.
Objectivity questioned
“However, the position expressed by Mr Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, lacks objectivity and overlooks the fact that the United Nations was established to promote dialogue and resolve disputes, not to perpetuate hostilities and settle scores,” Gargash said.
The adviser also expressed doubt over whether the statements attributed to Ghalibaf reflected the speaker’s own stance. “I hope these posts are the work of Mr Ghalibaf’s account manager, rather than an expression of his personal views,” Gargash added.
