Jordan officially bids for UNSC membership

The Kingdom of Jordan on Monday presented an official request to the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to replace Saudi Arabia as Security Council non-permanent member for 2014-2015. In a letter to Ban, Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh stated the desire of his country candidacy for seat representing the Asia-Pacific group of states. Judeh told the UN chief that Jordan's decision comes after Saudi Arabia announced that it will not take up the seat to which it was elected on October 17. The Jordanian top diplomat affirmed respect for the Saudi decision and its justifications. He also reaffirmed commitment of the Hashemite Kingdom to work with all members of the Council for helping the Council realize its mandate under the UN Charter. Jordan was elected as Council non-permanent member for two terms before - 1965-1966 and 1982-1983