AMMAN: Jordan has formally submitted a bid for a two-year seat on the UN Security Council, officials said yesterday, after its ally Saudi Arabia rejected the position partly in protest over international failure to end Syria’s civil war.
Jordan, which closely follows regional heavyweight Saudi Arabia on most foreign policy issues, wants to raise its international profile and win more recognition of its role in accommodating Syrian refugees, the officials said.
Its bid follows Saudi Arabia’s surprise move last month to decline a coveted seat on the 15-member Security Council over the United Nations’ failure to halt Syria’s civil war, to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian dispute and stop nuclear proliferation in the region.
Officials made clear Jordan’s bid had the blessing of Saudi Arabia, its biggest financial backer, and of the United States. “Jordan’s decision comes after consultations between King Abdullah II and his brothers in Saudi Arabia, as well as a number of (other) Arab leaders and other world leaders,” the state news agency quoted Jordan’s Foreign Minister Nasser Joudeh as saying.
Jordan still needs the support of a two-thirds majority in the UN General Assembly to win one of the Security Council’s 10 rotating two-year seats. The United States, Russia, China, France and Britain hold the other five, permanent seats.
Diplomats said it appeared Jordan had agreed, after some hesitation, to replace Saudi Arabia on the Security Council after it dropped out of a race against Riyadh for a seat on the UN Human Rights Council. Saudi Arabia won a three-year seat on that council last week despite concerns over its rights record.
“The Security Council seat is a prominent international position that will enable Jordan to become an influential player in international decision-making and is an indication of the world’s respect for its moderate policies,” Information Minister Mohammed Al Momani said.Reuters
