Saudi Arabia turns down UN Security Council seat

On 17 October, Saudi Arabia made an astonishing U-turn on its election to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as a non-permanent member. It is a coveted position, and one for which the Saudis had been lobbying hard; when their seat was confirmed, their initial reaction was somewhat euphoric. “It is a defining moment in the kingdom’s history,” Saudi ambassador to the UN Abdallah Al-Mouallimi said. “As one of the first founding members of the United Nations, our election is much to rejoice over.”