Libya has been elected chairman of the United Nations Human Rights Commission, despite opposition from the United States. In a secret ballot, Libyan Ambassador Najat Al-Hajjaji was backed by 33 members, with three countries voting against and 17 members abstaining. Human rights groups have been protesting at Libya assuming the chairmanship. The job of the Commission, the UN's main human rights watchdog, is to receive complaints about abuses, but it has been widely condemned as toothless. The United States called for a vote at the commission to signal its displeasure, but no other candidates emerged to challenge Libya. "This is not a defeat for the United States, this is a defeat for the Human Rights Commission," said US ambassador Kevin Moley. While human rights groups have complained, Libya's chairing of the commission has been staunchly defended by the son of Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Qaddafi.

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