UNITED NATIONS - Saudi Arabia has formally rejected its two-year term on the UN Security Council, clearing the way for Jordan to take the seat as a replacement.
The KSA had previously decried the 15-member council’s ineffectiveness in dealing with world affairs, notably the Syrian crisis and Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In a letter on Tuesday, KSA’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Abdallah  al-Mouallimi officially informed the world body of its decision not to assume the non-permanent seat his country won on Oct 17, when the GA voted to elect new members to replace those who are set to complete their terms at the end of this year. A statement from Saudi FM then said, “KSA has decided to advise you that it will regrettably not be in a position to assume its seat in the SC to which it was elected on Oct. 17, 2013.”
 for the period of 2014-2015.”
Analysts believe the decision to not only boycott the council but to reject the election was directed at the United States, its longtime ally, for Washington’s decision not to intervene  in the Syrian civil war which has claimed well over 100,000 lives in more than 30 months of fighting.
Jordan, which shares a border with Israel, has a vital interest in ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It also shares a border with Syria and has become a major destination for refugees fleeing the civil war.
The United States is one of the five permanent, veto-wielding, members of the council along with Britain, China, France and Russia. There are 10 non-permanent members.