Amman, Asharq Al-Awsat—The Jordanian Minister of State for Media Affairs, Dr. Mohammad Al-Moumni, has confirmed that Jordan is a candidate for the Asia-Pacific UN Security Council seat.

In exclusive comments to Asharq Al-Awsat, Moumni said on Friday that negotiations about filling the seat are taking place with concerned countries, and Arab countries in particular.

Moumni affirmed that Jordan’s candidacy to fill the UN Security Council seat is proof of the trust that friendly states and the international community hold in Amman’s foreign policy, in addition to the international standing of King Abdullah II.

Moumni informed Asharq Al-Awsat that Jordan is dealing positively with the prospect of filling the open Security Council seat.

Official Jordanian sources, speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat on the condition of anonymity, revealed that Saudi Arabia supports Jordan taking up the seat.

Jordan will agree to take a place on the Security Council if all Arab states and relevant parties agree, the sources added.

In a previous statement reported by Ammon News, the Jordanian Minister of State for Media Affairs said: “Deliberation and consultation over the UN Security Council seat are ongoing between countries, and the issues have yet to be resolved.”

An informed diplomatic source, also speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat on the condition of anonymity, indicated that deliberations over the open Security Council seat are ongoing and that Jordan is under pressure to take up the seat.

The diplomatic source added that the reasons that led to Saudi Arabia rejecting the seat are the same reasons pushing Amman to take the position.

The source also clarified that Jordan is the strongest candidate among the countries that are being consulted and has the best chance of filling the open Security Council seat.

There is also US pressure on Jordan to accept the seat, the source added.

The Jordanian Ambassador to the United Nations, Prince Zeid Bin Ra’ad, returned to Amman last Thursday to consult on the issue.

Saudi Arabia was elected last Thursday, October 17, as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. It rejected the seat the next day, citing “double standards” in the international organization hampering its ability to end international conflict