Gulf states, Egypt back Saudi rejection of UN seat
Saudi Arabia's Gulf Arab allies and Egypt have applauded its decision to reject a UN Security Council seat in protest at the world body's failure to act on Syria, whose leader is backed by Russia and Shi'ite Iran.
Saudi Arabia turned down a coveted two-year term on the council on Friday in a rare display of anger with what it called "double standards" in the United Nations. Permanent council members Russia and China have repeatedly blocked resolutions to condemn Syrian President Bashar Assad, a longtime ally of Iran, Riyadh's main regional rival. (Reuters)
