Gaza Special: UN Cancels Middle East Session But Begins Freedom Flotilla Enquiry

On Wednesday, the president of the United Nations General Assembly, Ali Abdussalam, cancelled a session on the Middle East:

After consulting with member states I have decided not to hold an interactive thematic debate of the General Assembly on the situation in the Middle East as previously envisaged for July 8, 2010. I will continue to consult with member states on the issue and will keep you informed of further developments.

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There was speculation that the cancellation was due to Washington's resistance and discussions and reservations among Arab nations.

However, in spite of Washington's criticisms, the UN Human Rights Council announced that a former president of the International Criminal Court, Canadian Philippe Kirsch, will head the committee investigating the deaths of nine Turkish citizens in the Israeli military operation against the Gaza-bound Freedom Flotilla on 31 May.

Diplomats describe the relationship between the UN headquarters in New York and the Human Rights Council in Geneva as one "short on trust." A diplomat in New York said, "As far as the U.S. administration is concerned, at a time when it is trying to resume the peace process, the investigation into the events of the flotilla at this time could not have come at a worst time."