Dhalgren
10-18-2013, 12:51 PM
Riyadh, Asharq Al-Awsat—Saudi Arabia declined to take up the non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council on Friday, citing “double standards” in the international organization hampering its ability to end international conflict. Riyadh cited a number of international issues precluding it from joining the UN Security Council, including the Palestinian Cause and the Syrian crisis, calling for the Security Council to be reformed to allow it to carry out its responsibilities in maintaining international peace and security.
A Saudi Foreign Ministry statement, published by the state Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said: “First of all, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is pleased to extend its sincere thanks and deep gratitude to all the countries that have given their confidence in electing it as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the next two years.”
http://www.aawsat.net/2013/10/article55319608
The article goes on for some time, but you still can't get a handle on 'why' they turned down the seat - after they had obviously lobbied for it for years. Royal snit? Obama's got some 'splainin' to do!
A Saudi Foreign Ministry statement, published by the state Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said: “First of all, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is pleased to extend its sincere thanks and deep gratitude to all the countries that have given their confidence in electing it as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the next two years.”
http://www.aawsat.net/2013/10/article55319608
The article goes on for some time, but you still can't get a handle on 'why' they turned down the seat - after they had obviously lobbied for it for years. Royal snit? Obama's got some 'splainin' to do!