Arab rivalries exposed as Egypt targets Qatar in UNESCO vote

Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kawari, Qatar's candidate for the position of Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), is seen at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France, October 11, 2017. REUTERS/Charles Platiau

PARIS (Reuters) - Arab states may want their turn at the helm of UNESCO, but the barbs hurled by Egypt at rival candidate Qatar during the vote highlights the fractious geopolitics paralysing the workings of the U.N. cultural agency.

The Paris-based body is known for designating World Heritage sites like the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria and Grand Canyon National Park, but it has struggled for relevance as it becomes increasingly hobbled by regional rivalries and a lack of money.