Brasília – Starting this year, for a period of 24 months, Brazil will have a provisory seat in the United Nations (UN) Security Council, replacing Costa Rica.
The four other temporary members inaugurated now, alongside Brazil, are Bosnia Herzegovina, Gabon, Lebanon and Nigeria. For two years, the presidency of the council will be in the hands of China. The first meeting in 2010 should take place this week and should be presided by Chinese ambassador Zhang Yesui.
The council has 15 members, of which five are permanent and ten are elected by the UN Assembly General for a term of two years. The permanent members are China, the United States, Russia, France and the United Kingdom.
Conflicts and international crises are discussed by the council, which may authorize military intervention in conflicts. For a resolution to be approved by the organisation, a majority of nine of the 15 members is necessary, including the five permanent members, each of which has veto rights.
*Translated by Mark Ament
