Heading UNSC, Egypt works to stop weapons supplies to terrorists

Egypt has pledged to work towards the elimination of weapons supplies to terrorists during its chairing of the United Nations Security Council this month, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said that the council will review sanctions imposed on various countries to evaluate their effectiveness, as well as follow up on the 2015 UN Resolution 2253, which states that the UN shall “prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale, or transfer (to terrorists) … of weapons and ammunition, military vehicles and equipment… or training related to military activities.”

Sponsored by the United States and the Russian Federation, the 28-page long resolution reaffirmed that those responsible for acts of terror as well as the organisation and/or support of these attacks must be held fully accountable. The council, through the resolution, also urged all member states to provide full cooperation in investigations and proceedings concerning Al-Qaeda and Daesh, and all “associated individuals, groups, undertaking and entities”.

Read: Extrajudicial execution of 54 people over ‘terrorism’ allegations

This is the second time Egypt will chair the UN Security Council since its non-permanent membership in 2016.

Egypt chaired the UNSC for the first time in May 2016.