No 'official notification' from Saudi Arabia on UNSC seat: Ban

Media reports have stated that Saudi Arabia declined the invitation

Don't want to miss the best from Business Standard?

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Friday noted Saudi Arabia's reported decision to not to sit on the UN Security Council next year despite winning a two-year term.

The UN chief, however, said he was yet to receive any official notification. "I have not received any official notification in this regard."

"I have taken note of the media reports regarding the decision of Saudi Arabia," reported Xinhua citing the UN chief in a press statement. "But I would like to caution that I have not received any official notification in this regard."

"I encourage all member states to fully engage with the principal organs of the United Nations while advancing their efforts to improve their working methods," he said.

"We also are looking forward to working very closely in addressing many important challenges with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, particularly to bring an end to the war in Syria, to help Palestinian people to achieve a viable State, and to help the current transition in Yemen."

"And also to extend humanitarian assistance to all the people in need, and to combat terrorism and nuclear proliferation," Ban said.

On Thursday, the UN General Assembly elected Chad, Chile, Lithuania, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia to a two-year term in the Security Council.

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs Friday said in a statement that the kingdom apologises for not accepting the two- year term on the Security Council until the UN council is reformed and enabled, effectively and practically, to carry out its duties and responsibilities in maintaining international peace and security.

The statement blamed the Security Council for failing to address the Syrian crisis, the Palestinian cause, and to make the Middle East region free of weapons of mass destruction.