Egypt is set to chair during August the United Nations Security Council for the second time since its non-permanent membership in 2016, where it will work towards the elimination of weapon supplies to terrorists, the Egyptian foreign ministry said in a statement. Foreign ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said the initiative, which aims to follow up on the 2015 UN resolution 2253, comes in conjunction with Egypt heading the UN counter-terrorism committee in June 2017. Abu Zeid said that during Egypt's chairmanship, there will be a review of sanctions imposed by the council on a number of countries in order to evaluate their effectiveness. According to UN resolution 2253, the UN shall "prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale, or transfer [to terrorists]… of weapons and ammunition, military vehicles and equipment… or training related to military activities." Egypt chaired the UN Security Council's meetings during May 2016, where it promoted the interests of African and developing countries as well as the Palestinian cause.
