2010-07-20 09:16

UNITED NATIONS - The United Nations on Monday accredited a major gay and lesbian organization that Egypt, Russia and others had tried to keep out as a group permitted to lobby at the world body.

The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, a US-based advocacy group, had applied for "consultative status" at the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) three years ago.

Last month, a UN committee that accredits nongovernmental groups rejected the application after "no" votes from countries including Egypt and Russia. Western diplomats vowed at the time to override the committee vote.

The United States, Britain and other Western delegations urged the full 54-nation ECOSOC to vote on the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission's application, which it did on Monday.

It was approved with 23 "yes" votes, 13 "no" votes and 13 abstentions.