Arabs to block Australia’s UN bid

Australia’s bid for a UN Security Council seat has been dealt a severe blow after a warning from the Arab League that it is less likely to succeed because of its support for Israel.

Hashem Yousseff, chief of cabinet for Arab League secretary-general Amr Moussa, told The Australian, Canberra kept “bad company” at the UN, where it often opposes anti-Israel resolutions in alliance with the US, Canada and small Pacific island states.

Australia’s support for Israel, he said, was “one of the elements that will be taken into consideration” by the 22-member Arab League in deciding whether to support Australia’s bid for a seat on the UN Security Council for the 2013-14 term. The Australian