Afghan, Turkish Leaders Criticize UN Security Council Structure

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan (left) with Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai. (file photo)

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has criticized the structure of the United Nations Security Council.

During a democracy forum in Indonesia on November 8, Karzai said the current structure was "undemocratic."

He told the forum in his address that the Security Council, made up of five permanent members, "did not represent us all."

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan also criticized the power of the council, citing its inaction over the Syria conflict.

He said the structure of only five countries holding veto power meant that the "fate of humanity" was in their hands.

Erdogan said disagreement between the permanent members on Syria had "encouraged the Syrian regime to kill its people."

Russia and China, both permanent members, have blocked several resolutions calling for the UN to take action in Syria.

Based on reporting by AFP and Tolo News