UN Security Council Gets Five New Members

The United Nations General Assembly today agreed to replace the current non-permanent members of the Security Council with five new members. The new members include Colombia, India, South Africa, Portugal and Germany and will begin their two year term at the start of 2011. Outgoing members include Austria, Turkey, Uganda, Japan and Mexico.

The five permanent members of the Security Council include the United States, France, United Kingdom, China and Russia. Permanent members have longstanding veto power and are the frequent decision-makers in regards to sanctions and global peace-keeping operations.