Gargash responds to Iran speaker's criticism of Nusseibeh UN bid

Dr Anwar Gargash has responded to criticism from Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf over Lana Nusseibeh’s candidacy to become the next United Nations Secretary-General.

In a post on X on Sunday, the UAE President’s Diplomatic Adviser said discussion of Nusseibeh’s vision, qualifications and nomination was legitimate, but described Ghalibaf’s remarks as lacking objectivity.

Gargash said the United Nations was established to promote dialogue and resolve conflicts, rather than deepen divisions or settle political scores.

He added that it was natural for Nusseibeh’s candidacy to draw objections from some hardline voices, given what he described as her record of bridging differences and prioritising diplomacy.

النقاش الموضوعي حول رؤية معالي لانا نسيبة وكفاءتها وترشيحها لأرفع منصب دولي مشروع ومرحب به. ومن الطبيعي أن يثير ترشيح شخصية مهنية عُرفت بتجسير الخلافات وتغليب الدبلوماسية اعتراض بعض الأصوات المتشددة. أما طرح السيد محمد باقر قاليباف، رئيس البرلمان الإيراني، فيفتقر إلى الموضوعية…

— د. أنور قرقاش (@AnwarGargash) October 25, 2026

Nusseibeh was formally nominated by the UAE on October 21 and is due to take part in an interactive dialogue with UN member states on October 27 as part of the selection process.