Riyadh, Oct 18 (IANS) Saudi Arabia turned down its rotating seat in the United Nations Security Council Friday, out of its disapproval of the council’s role in addressing Middle Eeast issues, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The kingdom apologizes for not accepting the two-year term on the Security Council until the council is reformed and enabled, effectively and practically, to carry out its duties and responsibilities in maintaining international peace and security, the Saudi ministry of foreign affairs said in a statement.
The Security Council has failed to address the Syrian crisis, the Palestinian issues, and failed to make the Middle East region free of mass destruction weapons, reports Xinhua citing the statement.
The UN General Assembly elected Thursday Chad, Chile, Lithuania, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia for a two-year term on the Security Council.
According to the UN Charter, the 10 non-permanent members of the council are elected by the General Assembly. Of these, five are elected in October each year.
The remaining five seats belong to the veto-wielding permanent members, namely Britain, China, France, Russia and the US.
Under the UN Charter, the Security Council has the primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security.
