Saudi Arabia declines UN Security Council seat, citing failure to tackle conflict

It said it was unable to take its seat until reforms were introduced, but did not specify what reforms it wanted.


Reuters October 18, 2013
Saudi Arabia said it was unable to take its seat in the UN Security Council until reforms were introduced. PHOTO: AFP/FILE

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia said on Friday it was declining its United Nations Security Council rotating seat, citing "double standards" that made it hard for the world body to end conflict and wars.

"The kingdom sees that the method and work mechanism and the double standards in the Security Council prevent it from properly shouldering its responsibilities towards world peace," the foreign ministry said in a statement carried by state news agency SPA.

It said it was unable to take its seat until reforms were introduced, but did not specify what reforms it wanted.

The Security Council has been divided on how to handle the civil war in Syria, with Western powers pushing for stronger sanctions against President Bashar al-Assad and Russia vetoing resolutions to that end. Saudi Arabia has been backing rebels in that conflict.

The United States, Britain, France, Russia and China are permanent members of the Security Council and hold veto powers. Other states are brought onto the body on a rotating basis.

COMMENTS (12)

Zalmai | 10 years ago | Reply

The house of Saud was put in charge by the US in 1932, they owe their very existence to the US and this is the gratitude US gets in exchange.

What can one expect from a corrupt family that has a country named after itself.

Abbas | 10 years ago | Reply

One could only jump with joy on hearing such good news! the wahabi saudi's position is that of a pot calling the kettle black - no human rights for its citizens, no visible democracy, only dictatorship,no women's rights and freedom, the ruler and his legitimate and illegitimate family above law!The best bits still to come - the supporters of takfiri cannibals in Syria,who on their saudi masters instructions , slaughtered the innocent men women and children, the wahabi's supplied their cannibals with chemical weapons to kill innocent Syrians.How can this wahabi country sit on the Security council, when it is not a democratic country and wanted to topple the democratically elected Syria !Security council is not for hypocrites.Wahabi's are cause of unrest in all Islamic countries.

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