UN MOUNTS ABUSE INQUIRY

GENEVA: Former UN rights chief Navi Pillay will lead the United Nations’ open-ended inquiry into “systematic” abuses in Israel and the Palestinian territories.

The UN Human Rights Council’s president said Mr Pillay would lead a three-person investigation into abuses and their “root causes” in the decades-long conflict. A commission of inquiry is the highest-level investigation that can be ordered by the council.

The probe was triggered during a special session of the council on May 27 to discuss the latest surge in violence between Israelis and Palestinians. The resolution was presented by Pakistan on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation.

The Israeli permanent mission to the UN in Geneva said the COI was created during a “flawed and biased” council session convened “with the sole intent of attacking Israel”.