10 Mar 2014

Marshall Islands government facing vote of no confidence

3:06 pm on 10 March 2014

The Marshall Islands government is facing a vote of no confidence following fallout over its nomination of a former Lebanese general as envoy to the United Nations.

In Febuary, a French newspaper reported Jamil el-Sayed, the former chief of intelligence for Lebanon, had alleged ties to Hezbollah.

The Marshall Islands Government soon rescinded its nomination of el-Sayed to be the country's UNESCO representative.

Our correspondent Giff Johnson says the vote of no confidence is the second attempt in six months and unlikely to pass.

"I have no reason to think that this vote would be successful. I think they are trying to express their concern about the appointment itself. Now, whether they have got people lined up so they get a different result from last year - it is quite hard to say at this early stage."

Giff Johnson says opposition senators pre-filed the motion on Friday but it is expected to be officially introduced this week.