Qatar agrees with the reasons outlined by Saudi Arabia to turn down a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council, an official source from the Foreign Ministry said yesterday. The source said that many nations and people also agreed with those reasons, especially about the Security Council’s inaction on the Palestinian and Syrian issues. The source, in a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), added that Doha hoped that the international organisation and its various organs, especially the Security Council, “will be able to fulfil its duties and lofty goals in achieving justice and upholding international peace and security”. Saudi Arabia won a prized two-year seat on the 15 nation Security Council in a UN General Assembly election on Thursday. But it turned down the seat the following day in a rare display of anger at the failure of the international community to end the war in Syria and act on other Middle East issues. Saudi Arabia condemned international double standards on the Middle East and demanded reforms in the Security Council. Yesterday, GCC secretary general Dr Abdul Latif bin Rashid al-Zayani praised Saudi Arabia’s call for reform of the UN Security Council, “enabling it to carry out its duties and assume its responsibilities towards maintaining international peace and security effectively and practically in accordance with the UN charter”. In a statement, al-Zayani underlined the importance of Saudi Arabia’s call for the “realisation of a fundamental reform of the Security Council’s system, to support its role as the UN body responsible for all the major consequences of the global peace and security issues”… Meanwhile, Arab nations have appealed to Saudi Arabia to reverse its decision. Arab UN ambassadors made the appeal after an emergency meeting. Saudi Arabia’s leaders should “maintain their membership in the Security Council and continue their brave role in defending our issues specifically at the rostrum of the Security Council”, said a statement released by Arab states at the UN. The statement expressed “respect and understanding” for the Saudi position. It added, however, that it was crucial for Saudi Arabia to represent the Arab and Muslim world on the council “at this important and historical stage, specifically for the Middle East region”. The Palestinian presidency announced its “full support” to Saudi Arbia’s position calling for “reactivating the UN Security Council to be an effective mechanism for maintaining world peace and security and the rights of the people of the globe and resolving world conflicts, including the Palestinian cause”. In a statement issued in Ramallah, the Palestinian presidency “thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia for his wide and sharp directives for turning the UN Security Council to a more effective and strong organisation that can play a powerful and influential role across the world”. Saudi Arabia’s withdrawal from the council term starting on January 1 means that the Asia-Pacific group will have to find a new candidate for a new vote by the UN General Assembly unless the Saudis change their mind. Saudi Arabia was elected to the council with Nigeria, Lithuania, Chad and Chile. All had stood unopposed in the election. The council, which has power to authorise military action, impose sanctions and set up peacekeeping operations, has 10 rotating members. The US, China, Russia, France and Britain are permanent members, which wield a veto. Arab League chief supports Riyadh Arab League secretary general Nabil al-Arabi said he supported Saudi Arabia’s decision to turn down UN Security Council non-permanent membership. Al-Arabi hoped, in a statement, the Saudi decision would trigger efforts to reform the Security Council. http://www.gulf-times.com/qatar/178/details/369127/qatar-%E2%80%98in-agreement-with-saudi--decision%E2%80%99

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