Inner City Press -- Investigative Reporting From the United Nations to Wall Street to the Inner City

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, November 11 -- Amid widespread reports that Saudi-sponsored Syria opposition figure Ahmad al Jarba slapped the Free Syria Army's representative in Istanbul, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's spokesperson Martin Nesirky on Monday had no comment, saying to ask the Syria opposition.

But it was only six weeks ago that Ban invited Ahmad "The Slapper" Jarba to his UN-provided residence. Click here for Inner City Press story on that. And France hosted an event inside the UN declaring Jarba the "sole legitimate representative of the Syrian people."

After that, when Inner City Press asked French foreign minister Laurent Fabius about the UN legality of declaring new leaders in other countries without involvement of the Credentials Committee (as France deployed in Cote d'Ivoire), Fabius acknowledged that might be an issue -- then rejected a question from Al Mayadeen, saying he's look for a "real" journalist.

  Jarba back in July held a faux "UN briefing" hosted by the Executive Committee of the UN Correspondents Association, who previously hosted a screening in the UN of a Sri Lankan government propaganda film denying war crimes charges in a film that was NOT shown in the UN.

  (Also on Monday, Ban's spokesperson Nesirky told Inner City Press he'd have no comment on Sri Lanka hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, which at least two prime ministers are not going to -- we'll have more on this.)

  So what do those who hosted Jarba say about the slap? Ask the opposition just doesn't cut it. Slap! Watch this site.