PM Manmohan Singh to back Libya rebel govt at UN meet

Source: DNAINDIA

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will make a strong case for UN reforms and expansion of the Security Council at next week’s UN General Assembly session in New York.

India would also be extending support to “the acceptance of credentials of the delegation of the Transitional National Council of Libya,” and the Palestinian statehood.

Manmohan Singh will be visiting New York from 22 to 26 September to attend the UNGA Session, which commenced on September 13. The prime minister is scheduled to address the general debate in the UN general assembly on September 24 morning.

Singh is also likely to hold bilateral meetings with a number of visiting heads of states and governments during his stay in New York.

“India’s priorities...would include...continuing our efforts for reform of the UN with a view to creating an equitable system that is reflective of contemporary realities...unless comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council is undertaken, the process of UN reforms would only be piecemeal and incomplete,” foreign secretary Ranjan Mathai told a press conference.

Mathai said India would be extending support to the acceptance of credentials of the delegation of the Transitional National Council of Libya led by its President Mustafa Abdel Jalil to attend the forthcoming UNGA session. On a question on support to Palestinian statehood, Mathai said, “India has been committed to Palestinian cause for long”.

“The recent terrorist attack in New Delhi has once again served as a reminder of the constant threat posed by terrorism to the security of democratic societies, Mathai said, adding that “We will reiterate the need for strong international cooperation and collective action against terrorism.”