Bolton to stand down as US ambassador to UN within weeks

THE US ambassador to the UN, John Bolton, yesterday announced he will step down when his temporary appointment expires within weeks after he failed to win confirmation for his role from the Senate.

Bolton’s nomination has languished in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for more than a year, blocked by Democrats and several Republicans.

Sen Lincoln Chafee, a moderate Republican who lost in the November 7 elections that swept Democrats to power in both houses of Congress, was adamantly opposed to Bolton.