Algeria Elected to UN Security Council, Among 5 New Members

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (AFP)
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (AFP)
TT
20

Algeria Elected to UN Security Council, Among 5 New Members

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (AFP)
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (AFP)

The United Nations General Assembly elected Algeria, Guyana, Sierra Leone, Slovenia and South Korea to the UN Security Council on Tuesday for two-year terms starting January 2024.

The five countries elected will replace Albania, Brazil, Gabon, Ghana and the United Arab Emirates.

The election of Algeria as non-permanent member of the UN Security Council is a diplomatic success that shows Algeria is “back on the international stage”, said a statement from President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

The development reflects the international community's respect and esteem for the president, it added.

The North African nation will start its term as a non-permanent member of the Security Council on January 1, 2024 after the vote of 193 member states of the UN.

The election is also a renewed opportunity for Algeria to reaffirm its principles and values, and to exchange its vision on issues related to international peace and security, the presidency statement said.

It added that Algeria is determined to focus its efforts to boost international peace and security and strengthen key partnerships. It is keen on promoting the principles and values of non-alignment, continuing efforts to combat terrorism, and enhancing the participation of women and youth in these international efforts.

“Algeria will also be keen to make the voice of Arab and African countries heard and to defend common strategic interests in various issues that fall within the jurisdiction of the Security Council,” it said.

On this occasion, Algerian authorities expressed their “sincere thanks and deep gratitude to the African Union, the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, for their adoption and generous sponsorship of Algeria’s candidacy.”



Salam to Discuss Issue of Lebanese Missing in Syria during Damascus Visit

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam lays a wreath at Martyrs' statue marking the 50th anniversary of the Lebanese civil war in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam lays a wreath at Martyrs' statue marking the 50th anniversary of the Lebanese civil war in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
TT
20

Salam to Discuss Issue of Lebanese Missing in Syria during Damascus Visit

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam lays a wreath at Martyrs' statue marking the 50th anniversary of the Lebanese civil war in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam lays a wreath at Martyrs' statue marking the 50th anniversary of the Lebanese civil war in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam visits Syria on Monday to discuss several pressing matters including the issue of Lebanese detainees missing in Syria.

Salam assured that the matter will top his talks during his visit to Damascus heading a ministerial delegation.

The delegation will discuss several matters of concern including the security of the borders between the countries, Lebanese detainees who disappeared in the prisons of the former Syrian regime, the return of Syrian refugees, in addition to the list of economic agreements between the two countries and ways to promote them, sources told Asharq al-Awsat.

Marking 50 years after Lebanon's civil war began, Salam placed a wreath at the Martyr’s statue in downtown Beirut. He affirmed that the issue of Lebanese who disappeared in Syrian prisons will be discussed during his visit to Syria. “I hope I will return to you with good news”, he said.

Praising the “unity” of the Lebanese people, Salam stated that “it is important for us that the Lebanese restore confidence in the state, and that they too take part in the reform process...our state is the only one that can protect us all with its army and the trust that can be reborn between the Lebanese and their state."

On the situation in south Lebanon, Salam said that Israel need not stay at five strategic points in south Lebanon over allegations that it needs to monitor Hezbollah’s actions, “we are in the times of satellites, anyone can know what is happening on the ground without occupying specific locations”.

In remarks he posted on his X account marking the civil war anniversary, Salam said: “On the 50th anniversary of the Lebanese civil war, we stand today not to open old wounds, but to draw lessons that must not be forgotten. All the (claimed) victories are fake, and all sides came out defeated from this war”. He stressed that the state must have monopoly over weapons.

“There can be no true state unless legitimate armed forces have the exclusive right to bear arms", he said.

Around 700 Lebanese people are thought by relatives to be held in Syria, taken during the three decades Syrian troops were in their country, many of them held for their political views.

Syrian officials of the regime of ousted President Bashar Assad have said that there were no more Lebanese prisoners in Syrian jails.