Libyan elected president of U.N. human rights panel

Despite U.S. objections, a Libyan diplomat has been elected president of the U.N. Human Rights Commission.

In a secret ballot, 33 countries voted for the Libyan ambassador, Najat Al-Hajjaji. Just three opposed her election while 17 abstained.

The State Department has cited Libya's alleged role as an abuser of human rights and as the presumed architect of the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Scotland in 1988.

African countries hold the chair of the 53-nation commission this year and are allowed to nominate a nation.

An African Union summit last year decided Libya should be given the role of chairing the top U.N. human rights watchdog.