Exclusive: UK leans towards backing UAE's Lana Nusseibeh for UN secretary-general

Nusseibeh's candidacy has drawn controversy over the United Arab Emirates' role in Sudan ’s civil war , where it is accused of supporting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, whose mass killings UN investigators say bear the “ hallmarks of genocide ”. The UAE denies the allegations. Her candidacy has also drawn criticism over the UAE's close ties with Israel . Numerous sources close to the British government told Middle East Eye the UK - a permanent member of the UN - is leaning towards supporting Nusseibeh's candidacy for the role, although a final decision has not yet been made. MEE has approached the British Foreign Office for comment but has not received a reply by the time of publication.