unilateral

He claims he sought legal advice which informed him he was permitted to take the unilateral decision to sack the former chief content officer for gross misconduct.

The result, he said, was that the UN didn't "have the strength to solve conflicts" and the five permanent members made "unilateral" decisions about going to war.

But the Americans are strongly opposed, as the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, made clear on Friday, emphasising his commitment "to fight anti-Israel actions including unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state that rewards Hamas terrorism".

"Governments have not stepped up to the plate and sport is going to have to take some unilateral judgments and decisions here," added Coe.

Asked whether smugglers coming from US allies, like Mexico and Ecuador, could face "unilateral execution" from US forces, Rubio said "co-operative governments" would help identify smugglers.