Harper to confront UN foes in Switzerland

At today’s Francophonie summit the prime minister will be surrounded by the leaders who foiled his Security Council bid.

Well this is awkward. When Canada lost out on a temporary seat on the UN Security Council two weeks ago, it was widely believed that African and Middle Eastern countries, angered that Ottawa had reduced aid to Africa and bolstered its support of Israel, cost Stephen Harper the vote. Harper is meeting with many of those countries today in Switzerland at the biennial Francophonie summit, which brings together leaders from French-speaking nations around the world. African and Middle Eastern countries make up more than half of the 53 members of the Francophonie. Harper is expected to ask for help rebuilding Haiti after January’s devastating earthquake.