Pakistan favors UNSC reforms on basis of consensus: FM

Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid M. Kasuri Thursday said Pakistan was opposed to increase in the permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council and favored its reform on the basis of consensus, state-run APP reported.

"We are against the increase in the permanent membership of the Security Council since this amounts to creating more centers of privilege," he said in his remarks at a function to mark the 61st anniversary of the United Nations in Islamabad.

The foreign minister said Pakistan favors Security Council on the basis of consensus or broadest possible agreement.

He said Pakistan was playing a positive role in the UN reform process.

Kasuri said, in its 61 years of existence, the United Nations has contributed, with varying degrees of success, to the maintenance of international peace and security, containment of potential, conflicts and resolution of disputes.

The UN also contributed to promotion of socio-economic development protection of natural resources, world climate and environment, humanitarian assistance and universal recognition of human rights, he added.

Reflecting on UN's performance in the past and in coming years, the minister said it has a long way to go.

"The world still confronts serious challenges in terms of peace and security, poverty, disease, environment and national disasters, " he said.

These challenges, he said, required a coordinated response at national, regional and international level.

"United Nations, notwithstanding its limitation, is ideally suited to fashion and guide our response to these challenges," he said.

Kasuri said Pakistan is proud of its contribution to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law and has consistently striven to maintain peace and stability and promote prosperity in spirit of cooperation and consensus building.

Pakistan is one of the oldest, largest and most consistent troop contributors to UN peacekeeping missions in Africa, Asia and Europe Currently, he said.

It has around 9,920 personnel deployed in 11 UN peacekeeping operations in Liberia, Cote d'lvoire, Burundi, Kosovo, Haiti, Sudan and Sierra Leone, he added.

Source: Xinhua