UNITED NATIONS (AP) The United Nations says it has not received official notification from Saudi Arabia that it is rejecting the seat it was elected to on the U.N. Security Council.
U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky said Monday he checked with the General Assembly, Security Council and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's office and there was nothing from the Saudis.
Hours after winning a coveted place on the Security Council for the first time, Saudi Arabia rejected the seat Friday, denouncing the U.N.'s most powerful body for failing to resolve world issues including the Syrian civil war.
Arab ambassadors held an "extraordinary" meeting on Saturday and urged Saudi Arabia to keep its seat and continue its "brave role" in defending Mideast issues at the Security Council rostrum during this "historic" and important time for the region.