US to leave UN cultural body, citing 'national interest'


By AGENCY

Trump wasn’t the first to withdraw the US from Unesco. President Reagan did so in the 1980s, citing corruption and pro-Soviet bias; the US rejoined under George W. Bush. Photo: AFP

The United States said on Tuesday it would quit Unesco, saying the UN cultural and education agency, best known for establishing world heritage sites, is biased against Israel and promotes "divisive" causes.

"Continued involvement in Unesco is not in the national interest of the United States," State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said.

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Unesco , United States , Trump , quit , world heritage

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