UNI

United Nations, Jan 10: Five newly elected member nations have joined the UN Security Council.

Indonesia, South Africa, Panama, Italy and Belgium took their seats on the 15-member council. They continue to be members of the council for two years.

The veto-wielding permanent five are Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.

The council's presidency rotates monthly in accordance with the English alphabet. For the current month of January, Russian envoy Vitaly Churkin took over from Nassir Abdulaziz al-Nasser of Qatar.

There has been a general agreement to expand the Security Council, but member nations differ on how to do it.

The 10 non-permanent members of the council are elected on a regional basis by the 192-member General Assembly.

Panama was a comprise candidate from the Latin American and Caribbean group as the regional members had failed last year to choose between Venezuela and Guatemala, which contested to be the region's representative on the council.