ERDOGAN: UNSC LACKS MUSLIM REPRESENTATION

Ankara, 13 Safar 1436/6 December 2014 (MINA) – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has condemned the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for failing to have Muslim representation.

Erdogan made the remarks as he addressed a ceremony for the Presidential Grand Awards in Culture and Arts at his newly built Ak Saray palace in the Turkish capital, Ankara. Press tv quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting, Friday (5/12).

The Turkish leader criticized the UN council, saying its five permanent members, China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, only represented some people from “Europe, Asia, and America.”

Referring to the council as a Christian group, Erdogan pointed out that there was not one single Muslim country among the five member states with veto power, known as the Permanent Five.

“The entire world is looking at what comes out of the mouths of these five countries. If one of them says ‘no’, then the matter is closed. Can there be such oppression? There is no justice, just oppression, while the world awaits justice,” he said.

The Turkish leader has been a long-time critic of the United Nations.

The UNSC is composed of five permanent members and 10 rotating non-permanent members, which are elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly.

The permanent members have the power to block the adoption of any substantive draft council resolution, regardless of the amount of international support. (T/P011/P3)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)