Guterres warns of threat to core UN principles, equality of member states

LONDON, Jan 19 (KUNA) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the core principles on which the UN was founded, particularly the equality of member states, are now under a real threat.
In an interview on Monday with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) on the 80th anniversary of the UN, Guterres said it has become increasingly difficult to ensure member states abide by international law and the principles enshrined in the UN Charter.
He criticized unilateral decisions taken by the United States, which he said views "its power as more important than international law," adding that Washington has a firm conviction that multilateral solutions are ineffective.
Guterres stated that while the UN exerts its utmost efforts to resolve international conflicts, it does not possess the same influence as the major powers. He questioned whether the actions of powerful states lead to genuine and lasting solutions or merely temporary fixes, describing the UN Security Council as "ineffective" and not representative of today's world.
He emphasized the need to reform the Security Council to give a voice to the global community while limiting the use of veto powers to avoid "unacceptable deadlocks." Guterres also highlighted the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, accusing the Israeli occupation of deliberately obstructing UN efforts to distribute aid and preventing relief agencies from performing their duties. He said the occupation claims that the UN is unable to organize humanitarian access and aid delivery, while simultaneously blocking UN agencies and staff from entering the Gaza Strip. (end) mrn.aa