Kingdom’s election to the UN Security Council welcomed

The diplomatic community in the Kingdom welcomed on Thursday the election of Saudi Arabia as one of five new members of the United Nations Security Council for a two-year term.
“This is a great development indeed,” said Emmanuel Bel, French Embassy deputy chief of mission. “Saudi Arabia is a big country and a member of the G20. It has a good standing to take a responsible role in the international community.”
Saudi Arabia was elected along with Nigeria, Chad, Lithuania and Chile. The five members replace Azerbaijan, Guatemala, Morocco, Pakistan and Togo.
German Ambassador Dieter W. Haller said: “We are happy indeed over Saudi Arabia’s election ... we congratulate the Saudi government headed by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Salman.”
He added: “Germany has been supportive of the Kingdom’s candidature since the beginning and looks forward to a fruitful and meaningful two-year membership for Saudi Arabia in the UN Security Council.”
Ireland’s Ambassador Niall Holohan said: “I wish to congratulate the Kingdom … I have every confidence that the Kingdom will carry out its duties in exemplary manner and will act at all times for the benefit of the entire international community and that it will use its increased influence in world affairs for the promotion of peace, stability and justice everywhere.”
Greg Lewis, charge d’affaires of the New Zealand Embassy, said: “We are delighted to see the Kingdom elected to the UN Security Council for the first time. Saudi Arabia was one of the founding members of the United Nations.”
All five countries stood unopposed in an election by the 193 member UN General Assembly. Security Council seats are highly coveted because they give countries a strong voice in matters dealing with international peace and security in places like Syria, Iran and North Korea as well as the UN’s far-flung peacekeeping operations.