Libya, Niger and Zimbabwe pay up to recover UN voting rights

Libya, Niger and Zimbabwe have recovered their right to vote at the United Nations General Assembly after paying off part of their debts to the organization, a UN official said Wednesday.

After their right to vote was suspended last week, the three countries "have all paid" part of their debt, deputy UN spokesman Farhan Haq told AFP.

"They paid enough that they can vote in the General Assembly," he said, without indicating the amount of the payments.

To regain their right to vote without paying off their total debt, Libya, Niger and Zimbabwe had to pay the UN respectively $705,391, $6,733 and $81,770.

Iran, the Central African Republic, Congo Brazzaville and South Sudan were also deprived of the right to vote last week.

The UN's budget is around $3.2 billion per year. The budget for peacekeeping operations is separate and totals around $6.5 billion.

Agencies contributed to this report.