Gaza war probe ‘operational’ as Clooney’s fiancée quits

The president of the UN top human rights body says the commission on possible violations of the rules of war in Gaza is "operational" despite the decision by George Clooney’s fiancée to pull out of the panel.

British-Lebanese lawyer Amal Alamuddin, who is engaged to marry the 53-year-old actor, decided she couldn’t accept the role a few hours after she was appointed as one of three commissioners, said Gabon Ambassador Baudelaire Ndong Ella, who presides over the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Alamuddin, an expert on human rights, was among a number of people that Ndong Ella approached as potential candidates, he said, adding he will later decide “on how best to support and strengthen” the commission.