UNITED NATIONS, Nov 13: Despite pleas from UN member states, Saudi Arabia formally turned down its seat at the UN Security Council on Tuesday.

Jordan, which in a deal swapped seat on the UN Human Rights Council with Saudi Arabia, will now seek election to the council seat. Jordan is guaranteed the seat by the Arab group in the UN General Assembly.

Saudi Arabia won the seat last month, but refused it in protest against the council’s attitude on the Syrian conflict.

A western diplomat here said Jordan would sail through elections which will be scheduled before the end of this year.