Syria assumes the Security Council’s rotating presidency Saturday for the first time since 1970. The presidency of the U.N. Security Council rotates among its 15 members, with a new country taking the helm each month.
Syria won a two-year term on the council, starting Jan. 1, with overwhelming support from the international community and without opposition from the United States.
But Syria's election was denounced by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, whose spokesman called it "a real bad joke." American Jewish groups said it was absurd for a country accused of sponsoring terrorism to be dealing with the global fight against terror following Sept. 11.
Syria's U.N. Ambassador Mikhail Wehbe has repeated many times that his country is opposed to terrorism, but he has also supported the right of people "under occupation," meaning the Palestinians, to fight for independence.
The council president — Wehbe this month — has significant influence over the council's agenda while he holds the chair, and can delay discussion of some subjects and push pet issues.
"This puts the Syrian government into a position of enormous responsibility and their many talented diplomats will have to reflect a broad global perspective and not just a regional window on the world," said former U.S. Sen. Timothy Wirth, president of the United Nations Foundation.
Wehbe said Thursday that he would be conducting the "normal business" of the council during his monthlong presidency. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
