Ban Ki-moon Says He Was Not Told Saudi Arabia Wouldn't Take UN Security Council Seat

Protesting lack of intervention in Syria

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says he has received no notification from Saudi Arabia that it will turn down a seat on the UN Security Council.

Earlier the Saudi foreign ministry said it had turned down the non-permanent seat, accusing the world body of "double standards".

The ministry said the UN needs to be reformed first.

It said the Security Council had failed in its duties towards Syria as well as in other world conflicts.

Mr Ban refused to say whether he would be speaking to the Saudi king about the matter.