Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla left Jakarta for Saudi Arabia Tuesday morning to attend the Arab Summit to discuss the newest UN Security Council sanction aimed at halting Iran's uranium enrichment program.

Kalla's departure came after Indonesia, the current rotating member of the 15-member Council, gave vote to the resolution, which drew strong criticism from parliament members.

Jakarta has repeatedly said it supported Iran's nuclear program as long as it intends for peaceful purposes.

Kalla, who was aboard a chartered plane for the emergency meeting scheduled Wednesday, was accompanied by Minister of Religious Affairs Maftuh Basyuni, special envoy for foreign affairs Ali Alatas and ambassador to Middle East Alwi Shihab, reported leading news website Detikcom.

He is due to return home Thursday.

Source: Xinhua