Subscribe to Print Edition | Fri., June 13, 2008 Sivan 10, 5768 | | Israel Time: 05:18 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Peres Conference Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi (right) speaking with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Egypt on Tuesday. (AP) Last update - 10:51 02/01/2008 Former pariah Libya becomes UN Security Council President By Shlomo Shamir, Haaretz Correspondent and Reuters Tags: Terrorism, Libya  Libya took over the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday in a major step back to global respectability after decades as a pariah of the West. As president, Libya's ambassador to the UN is obliged to maintain contacts with all of the world body's member states, including Israel - with which it currently has no diplomatic relations. Diplomatic sources, however, doubted on Tuesday whether Libya would act so with reference to Israel. The North African country was elected in October, as were Burkina Faso, Costa Rica, Croatia and Vietnam, to sit on the council in 2008-09 after the United States, which foiled two earlier bids by Tripoli, decided not to block it this time. Advertisement By an alphabetical accident, Libya becomes president of the 15-nation body from its very first day as a member, succeeding Italy. Each country is president for a month, the rotation going in English alphabetical order of names. Libya and Burkina Faso had been unopposed after being endorsed by the African regional grouping for two African seats that fell vacant on Dec. 31. The Security Council is the powerhouse of the United Nations, with the ability to send peacekeeping troops around the world and impose sanctions on specific countries. Unlike the five permanent members - the United States, Russia, Britain, France and China - the nonpermanent members have no individual veto. But an alliance of seven of them can stop a resolution even if the big powers want it. Libya has only recently rehabilitated itself in Western eyes from an accused sponsor of terrorism that organized the 1988 bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over Scotland, which killed 270 people. Related articles: Report: Libya to order 13-18 French Rafael fighter jets in $3.24 b deal Libya invites Israel to international chess competition Hamas: U.S. veto of UN draft resolution backs further 'massacres' Bookmark to del.icio.us   Gin and Jews American rapper Snoop Dogg slated to perform in Ramat Gan. Late date Scientists revive 2,000-year-old date seed found at Masada.   1.   Libya at UN Security Council 10:54  |  Craig F 02/01/08   2.   GADDAFFI, THE COUNT OF DRACULA 12:48  |  Iskander 02/01/08   3.   And they`ll be wearing a big red nose folks 13:04  |  Lear 02/01/08   4.   Big deal?! 13:32  |  Zaki Simantov 02/01/08   5.   Zimbabwe for UN Economy and Democracy Council 00:00  |  Fortuna Benmayor 03/01/08   6.   I feel ill 10:54  |  Efox 03/01/08   7.   Wouldn`t it make more sense if ... 19:12  |  M 04/01/08

Read & React Gadhafi: Obama fears Israel may kill him like it did JFK Responses: 240 Bradley Burston: When smart countries - like Israel - go dumb Responses: 111 Israel concerned Hezbollah may try to 'settle score' over Mughniyeh Responses: 111 Rabbi: Religious settlers can violate Shabbat to build Responses: 82 Nadav Shragai: Israel must retake Gaza before it's too late Responses: 64 Rosner's Domain Bobby Kennedy and the history of pro-Israel candidates What Obama should have said (WTR) Poll: When should Israel have elections? NJDC: McCain's advisor soft on Iran (WTR) The UN's Complicity With Evil More Headlines 04:29 Israel to stick with cease-fire talks despite heavy shelling from Gaza 04:31 A year after Gaza takeover, Hamas shows no sign of ending violence 23:21 'Israel Lobby' authors in Jerusalem: Ahmadinejad not inciting to genocide 05:05 Daniel Ben-Simon: Why I'm leaving journalism for politics 21:56 Poll: Most Israelis, Palestinians see no point in peace talks 00:19 UN to discuss resolution demanding that Israel halt West Bank settlement construction 21:53 Palestinian PM Fayyad reaches out for grass roots support with message of change 00:15 Israeli scientists grow palm from 2,000-year-old seed at Masada 23:22 Obama, McCain condoms 'for when you just need to switch your position' 15:32 Malik Obama: As president, my brother would be good for Jews 00:16 American rapper Snoop Dogg slated to perform in Ramat Gan Previous Editions Select Day 12 jun 11 jun 10 jun 09 jun 08 jun 06 jun 05 jun 04 jun 03 jun 02 jun 01 jun 30 may

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