Many diplomats argued that at age 69. and after suffering an abscess on the liver that incapacitated him for several months two years ago. Mr. Ghali lacked the stamina to reshape the United Nations bloated. weary bureaucracy. But his indefagitable campaign. coupled with his ability to sketch an inspiring vision of a reorganized. reinvigorated peacekeeper able to meet the challenges of the 21st century. won over doubters. among them President Bush. whose lastminute support guaranteed his election. Mr. Ghali was twice rejected for major United Nations posts. In the mid1980s. he failed in his bid to head the United Nations Educational. Scientific and Cultural Organization and. partly because of strong Israeli opposition the United Nations refugee agency.