GENEVA (AP)  The United States returned Wednesday to the U.N. Human Rights Council, a body it left nine months ago saying it was biased against Israel and had failed to confront notorious rights abusers. The United States informed the council it will resume participating in meetings as an active observer. Observer status means the United States can engage in debate but not vote. "We will expect — of ourselves and of the governments in this chamber representing every region of the world — a willingness to overcome our differences and to unite in common purpose," Mark Storella, charge d'affaires of the U.S. mission to the United Nations in Geneva, told the council. The U.S. will work closely with council members and other observers to promote human rights around the world, he said. Last June, the Bush administration announced it was virtually giving up on the 47-nation body and would participate in debates only if absolutely necessary. It said it was leaving because of the council's anti-Israel statements and its failure to act on abuses in Sudan and other states. The council is dominated by Muslim and African countries. "The United States remains concerned about the politicization of human rights, and about this council's repeated singling out of one country," Storella said, referring to Israel. "We are concerned about this council's failure thus far to address some of the most egregious human rights violations in the world today," Storella said. "And about the isolated but alarming attempts by some to use council resolutions to undermine universal human rights, such as freedom of expression." Islamic countries last year pushed through a resolution urging a global prohibition on the defamation of religion — a move European countries criticized as focusing excessively on Islam and incompatible with free speech. Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Guidelines: You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. Read more