General Assembly President and South African leader discuss Security Council reform

Security Council reform and the ongoing fighting and humanitarian suffering in Libya topped the agenda today during a meeting between General Assembly President Joseph Deiss and South African President Jacob Zuma.

Mr. Deiss briefed Mr. Zuma on his intention to set up a Group of Friends to exchange views about Council reform in an informal setting, a spokesperson for the Assembly President said in a press statement.

On Monday, Mr. Deiss told a conference in Mexico that UN Member States should enter genuine negotiations on reforming the size and membership of the Council and urged them to show flexibility. He said success in reforming the 15-member Council – which currently has five permanent and 10 non-permanent members – would help make the body more representative of the new world order.

Mr. Deiss and Mr. Zuma also discussed the situation in Libya, the implementation of Security Council resolution 1973 and the roadmap of the African Union (AU) for a political solution to the conflict, the spokesperson said.

International forces in Libya operate under Security Council resolution 1973, adopted in March, which authorizes States to take “all necessary measures” to protect civilians amid the Government’s crackdown against its own people.