Egypt stresses collective responsibility in peacekeeping forces

Egypt's Permanent Delegate to the UN Ahmed Abul Gheit said participation in international peacekeeping forces is collective responsibility to be shouldered by the major west countries on equal footing with many of the developing states.

Efforts to boost the UN role in maintaining world peace and security will not be rendered successful unless they are accompanied by the political will of the major states especial the UN Security Council five permanent member states, he clarified.

"This Egyptian stance is crystallized at a time when the UN is witnessing intensive consultations on how to activate its role in keeping world peace and reaching settlements," he said.

Since 1960 the Egyptian government has been keen effectively taking part in improving performance in the domains of keeping peace.

"The current discussions came on the heels of a report issued in August by a team of experts led by former Algerian Foreign Minister Lakhdar Librahimi on the short comings in the UN performance as regards preserving world peace and security," he said.

"A committee on keeping peace is stemming from the UN General Assembly which held a series of meetings throughout the week review this report and seek the optimal framework for the world organization's performance in the field of preserving peace," he said.