Gabriella Shalev becomes Israel U.N. envoy

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 9 (UPI) -- Israel's new ambassador to the United Nations says she is eager to work on issues such as human rights and development.

Ynetnews.com said Tuesday that college professor Gabriella Shalev expressed concern about Iran's nuclear program and the Hezbollah presence in Lebanon when she presented her credentials Monday to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

But she also assured that Israel would be a team player on humanitarian issues as well.

"I will work on a wide spectrum of issues in the fields of technological development, science and agriculture, and the rights of women and children, while at the same time caring for political and security issues," Shalev said.

Ynetnews said Ban assured Shalev that Israel would continue to receive equitable treatment in the United Nations.

Shalev, 67, is the first woman to serve as Israel's U.N. ambassador.