The United States has blocked the appointment of the former Palestinian Prime Minister to lead the UN political mission in Libya. US Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley said that United States does not currently recognize a Palestinian state or support the the appointment of Salam Fayyad, former Palestinian Authority Prime Minister as the United Nations new representative to Libya.<br/><br/>However, the US Ambassador said, Palestine is a non-member observer state at the United Nations and its independence has been recognized by 137 of the 193 UN member nations. She said, Washington encouraged Israel and the Palestinians to come together directly on a solution to end their conflict. The United States wields significant influence as one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.<br/><br/>UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres had sent a letter to the Security Council indicating his intention to appoint Salam Fayyad, former Palestinian Authority Prime Minister as the body's new representative to Libya.