United Nations, November 13 (RHC-PL) –- The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) has condemned efforts by some members of the Security Council to manipulate the United Nations body for political purposes and acting against the interests of the Southern States.

When some powers use it as a tool depending on their interests, the mandate given by the UN Charter that body is not honoured, the UN General Assembly was told.

As a result, problems are aggravated rather than alleviated, warned Iran, which chairs the organization of 120 nations of NAM.

Speaking at a debate in the Assembly on the composition of the Council, Ambassador and head of Iranian Business, Hossein Dehghani, demanded that the body of 15 members be accountable for their actions. They should exercise their powers impartially and without being selective.

According to the diplomat, NAM is very concerned about the imposition of sanctions on developing States, and urged to use them only when other efforts are exhausted, and always with well-defined frameworks, objectivity and within a fixed time limit.

Dehghani also called for the cessation of double standards in the performance of the Security Council.

In recent years, the body has reacted quickly to threats and the use of force in some cases, while keeping silent in other cases.

NAM countries have criticized military interventions, as in Iraq (2003) and Libya (2011), while nothing is done when Israel attacks with impunity and colonizes the occupied Palestinian territories.
Israel is able to do so because it is under the protection of the United States, which enjoys veto power in the Council.

On behalf of the Movement, Iran defended the call to reform the Security Council which, he said, must be done as soon as possible, 'in a transparent and balanced manner."

A reformed Security Council should reflect the interests of both poor and rich nations, said the ambassador.