By Engy Adham
The Palestinian issue will be Egypt’s top priority in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), Ambassador and Assistant Foreign Minister Hisham Badr stated Thursday.
After announcing Egypt’s election as a UN non-permanent security member and securing a two-year seat with 179 votes, spokesperson of the Egyptian Foreign Ministry Ahmed Abo Zeid said Egypt will work “vigorously” to support African and Arab priorities at the Security Council.
Shoukry met with President of the UN General Assembly Mogens Lykketoft and discussed issues of concern to Egypt that are on the General Assembly’s Agenda.
According to Abu Zeid, they discussed the Palestinian issue and the significant role of the General Assembly in addressing the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories. He mentioned the Security Council’s inability to act in the face of veto power.
They also discussed issues of disarmament, economic, and social development that are related to the general assembly.
Badr said Egypt’s role in UNSC would contribute in changing how the world perceives Arab countries and Africa through better corresponding to their needs.
Not only is the Palestinian issue top priority at UNSC but Egypt will effectively contribute in solving conflicts taking place in Yemen, Syria, and Libya.
“Egypt will strive to support and promote peace and security across the globe and uphold the principles of the UN charter,” Abu Zeid said.
Egypt was a founding member of the UN and has been a non-permanent member of the Security Council on four occasions: 1946, 1949-1950, 1984-1985, and 1996-1997.
