Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has reiterated the call for Africa to be represented in the permanent category of the Security Council.
In light of recent conflict developments in the world, Zuma said the reform must be consistent with the principle of equitable geographical representation, as all member states had the duty to safeguard the future and relevance of the UN.
Zuma stressed that the UN must never allow itself to be used by any country.
"All citizens of the world should feel confident and secure in the knowledge that the UN is above all interests and only serves those of the global citizenry."
He told the gathering of world leaders at the UN General Assembly that regional organisations played a crucial role in the resolution of conflicts and in regional mediation processes.
This role, he said, must always be enforced and enhanced, and not undermined.
Referring to the situation in Libya, Zuma noted that the African Union (AU) tried to broker a peaceful solution to the Libyan crisis when it erupted earlier this year.
"However, it is a matter of record now that the AU efforts were never given a chance. Military actions were preferred over peaceful means."
Zuma called for the cessation of hostilities and an end to NATO's aerial bombardment.
"We also call for the lifting of the no-fly zone, which was necessitated by the need for the protection of civilians," said the South African leader.
He voiced concern over the proliferation of arms in Libya, adding that the transitional authorities there will need support to deal with the security challenges.
He urged Libya's National Transitional Council to ensure the protection of migrant workers, especially those from the sub-Saharan African countries, whose number he put at about 2.5 million.
"Immediate measures should be taken to put an end to the killings, arbitrary arrests and the detention of migrant and black Libyans," said Zuma.
In his speech, Zuma also pressed for the lifting of the economic and financial embargo on Cuba to help the Caribbean country's people attain greater economic freedom. - BuaNews
