Eurasia Press & News
Saudi Arabia, in an unprecedented moved,formally rejected on Tuesday its two-year term on the UN Security Council, clearing the way for Jordan to take the seat as a replacement.
The Middle East power had previously decried the 15-member council’s ineffectiveness in dealing with world affairs, notably the Syrian crisis and Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In a letter Tuesday from Saudi Arabian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Headquarters in New York, Ambassador Abdallah al-Mouallimi officially served notice on the world organization.
The move came after the Saudi Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Oct. 18 declining the position, one day after the 193- member UN General Assembly elected the country for a two-year council term starting from Jan. 1.
“The Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has decided to advise you that Saudi Arabia will regrettably not be in a position to assume its seat in the Security Council to which it was elected on Oct. 17, 2013 for the period of 2014-2015,” the letter read.
