Norwegian premier calls for more effective UN Security Council, urges action on Middle East, Ukraine

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - Norway's prime minister on Monday called for a more effective UN Security Council, urging it to intervene and help de-escalate hostilities in the Middle East.

Speaking at the Summit of the Future at the UN, Jonas Gahr Store emphasized the need for world leaders to address historical injustices against Africa and improve the representation of underrepresented regions.

"We need a more transparent, inclusive, and effective security council with great limitations to the use of veto," he noted, pointing out that the General Assembly plays a vital role in maintaining international peace and security in close cooperation with the Security Council.

Store also urged the Security Council to act collectively to end Russia’s war on Ukraine and to help resolve the escalating hostilities in the Middle East.

He added that the Security Council should "work towards a two-state solution, giving the Palestinians their right of a state and a two-state solution, where Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in peace."