The UN General Assembly elected Belgium, the Dominican Republic, Germany, Indonesia and South Africa on Friday to serve as non-permanent members on the Security Council for two years starting in January. All but three of the 193 UN member states cast paper ballots. Germany and the Dominican Republic each obtained 184 votes. South Africa got 183 votes, Belgium 181 and 144 went to Indonesia. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas -- who was present for the vote -- said his country wanted to be a "strong voice for peace in the Security Council." "But above all, we want a multilateral world order for the future, based on the rules that we have worked on tirelessly for decades, especially here at the United Nations," Maas added. The Belgian government said it was joining the council at a "pivotal moment." "It's a period when multilateralism no longer seems obvious to all, with some even questioning it, even as the planet is confronted with multiple global challenges, including climate change, … [Read more...] about Germany, South Africa, Indonesia to join UN Security Council in 2019
About security council
UN Security Council picks 5 new members
The United Nations General Assembly on Friday was choosing five new non-permanent members of the Security Council, with Belgium, Germany and South Africa among those on the list. In order to win a two-year mandate beginning in January, each candidate country needs to secure two thirds of the votes of nations casting their paper ballots from 10:00 am (1400 GMT). While there are 193 UN member states, "a few guys will have forgotten there's an election and won't be there," a diplomat quipped. There are 15 members on the UN Security Council, including the five permanent ones -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- and 10 non-permanent members, half of which are elected each year. Just before taking up their duties, the elected states get intense training about Security Council protocol and customs. During their mandate, the ambassadors will each preside over the council for a month. Friday's election of five new members from regional groups is not expected to lead to … [Read more...] about UN Security Council picks 5 new members
UN Security Council to vote Saturday on Syria ceasefire
US Ambassador Nikki Haley expresses dismay as negotiations drag out to allow humanitarian aid 0SHARES Share Tweet Email PHOTO: AFP/FILE UNITED NATIONS: The UN Security Council delayed a vote on demanding a 30-day ceasefire in Syria to Saturday at noon (1700 GMT) after hours of negotiations failed to yield agreement with Russia, diplomats said. The council has been in talks on a draft resolution on the truce since February 9 as Syrian government forces have waged a fierce air campaign on the rebel-held enclave of Eastern Ghouta. “We have not been able to close the gap completely,” Swedish Ambassador Olof Skoog told reporters following a closed-door council meeting. “We will work tonight and hopefully, we will definitely come back tomorrow and we will vote.” UN Security Council delays vote on Syria truce resolution US Ambassador Nikki Haley expressed dismay as the negotiations dragged out for another day on the pause that … [Read more...] about UN Security Council to vote Saturday on Syria ceasefire
UN Security Council delays vote on Syria truce resolution
The vote has been postponed for at least an hour to 12 p.m. 0SHARES Share Tweet Email PHOTO: AFP UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations Security Council delayed a vote on Friday on a resolution demanding a 30 day truce in Syria to allow aid deliveries and medical evacuations, said Kuwait’s U.N. mission, council president for February. The vote has been postponed for at least an hour to 12 p.m. UN Security Council to vote on Syria ceasefire EST (1700 GMT) amid a flurry of last-minute negotiations on the text drafted by Sweden and Kuwait. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said earlier on Friday Moscow wanted guarantees that rebel fighters will not shoot at Damascus residential areas. A resolution needs nine votes in favor and no vetoes by Russia, China, the United States, Britain or France. Russia has cast 11 vetoes on possible Security Council action on Syria since its civil war began in 2011. Read more: delay , Latest , Syria Read full story Recommended … [Read more...] about UN Security Council delays vote on Syria truce resolution
UN Security Council to inspect ‘Iranian-made’ missile debris
UN panel of experts concluded in recent report Iran had violated arms embargo on Yemen by supplying missiles to rebels 0SHARES Share Tweet Email PHOTO: AFP UNITED NATIONS: The UN Security Council will travel to Washington on Monday to inspect debris from missiles allegedly provided by Iran to Yemen’s Huthi rebels and hold meetings at the White House, diplomats said. The ambassadors are expected to meet with President Donald Trump as the US administration seeks international action against Iran, diplomats said. US Ambassador Nikki Haley last month presented the fragments as “undeniable” evidence that a ballistic missile fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels at Saudi Arabia in November was Iranian-made. Rouhani says Iran will keep producing missiles That claim was bolstered when a UN panel of experts concluded in a recent report to the council that Iran had violated the arms embargo on Yemen by failing to block … [Read more...] about UN Security Council to inspect ‘Iranian-made’ missile debris