Saudis Reject U.N. Security Council Seat

The last-minute pullout by Riyadh—a first in the U.N.’s history—follows a year of intense preparation for the election, during which Saudi Arabia sent a dozen diplomats to Columbia University to study diplomacy.

Relations between Riyadh and Washington have been strained over U.S. policies toward Egypt, Syria and Iran. Saudi Arabia has strongly opposed the Obama administration’s decision to cut military aid to Egypt and to limit American support for Syrian rebels seeking to topple Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Riyadh is also deeply skeptical of the growing diplomatic détente between the U.S. and Iran, Saudi Arabia’s main regional rival.

The decision to withdraw from being seated on the council means Saudi Arabia forfeits an opportunity to influence decisions the Security Council will make on issues the country holds dear.

Officials said it was the first time a country had refused to be seated at the Security Council after being elected. The move took U.N. diplomats by surprise because of the celebratory mood of Saudi diplomats following the election Thursday evening.

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