Algeria takes over UN Security Council rotational presidency from US

Algeria has assumed the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council for January 2025, marking the beginning of its second year as a non-permanent member for the 2024-2025 term.

The North African nation took over the role from the United States, which chaired the Council in December.

A strong supporter of Palestine, Algeria aims to maintain its hardline stance against Israel on the global stage, advocating for the rights of the Palestinian people in Gaza.

Algeria's UN envoy, Amar Bendjama, voiced "great concern" on Thursday regarding the deteriorating situation in Gaza and announced that a UN Security Council session would be held on Friday to address Israel's attacks on healthcare facilities in the region.

"We will continue to highlight the suffering of Palestine, the humanitarian crisis that is catastrophic in Gaza. This is one of the absolute priorities and remains one of the absolute priorities of Algeria," Bendjama stated during a press conference following Algeria's assumption of the presidency.

He further stressed that "as an Arab member of the Security Council, issues related to the Arab region, particularly the situation in Lebanon, Syria, Sudan, and Yemen remain our major concern."

Amar also highlighted Algeria's firm support for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), emphasising its irreplaceable role.

"We hope that we will reach a consensus that will authorize UNRWA to continue its work on behalf of the General Assembly, on behalf of the UN, in favour of the Palestinian population," he said. "For Algeria, UNRWA is irrepressible and should continue to work and to fulfil its mandate, the mandate given overwhelmingly by the General Assembly of this body," he added.

The envoy also revealed that Algeria will hold a high-level meeting on the Palestine conflict at the Security Council, chaired by Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf, on January 20.

Algeria is also expected to use its presidency to advocate for the Western Saharan cause against Morocco.

At the end of its monthly chairmanship, Algeria will hand over the presidency to China in February.

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