Sarkozy to push for five new Security Council members

08 Jan 2008 17:09 - Staff Reporter

Calling for urgent reform of the United Nations, France President Nicolas Sarkozy pledged on Tuesday to help Brazil, Germany, India, Japan and a major African country join the UN Security Council as permanent members. Sarkozy said he had recently told UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon that "UN reform can't wait any longer".

Sarkozy said he had recently told UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon that “UN reform can’t wait any longer” and confirmed France’s support for five new countries at the UN’s top decision-making council.

“France will do everything so that Germany, Japan, Brazil, India and a major African country become permanent members of the Security Council,” Sarkozy said at his first major news conference since his election in May.

The so-called Group of Four—Germany, Brazil, India and Japan—have lobbied for years for permanent seats as part of the first expansion of the council since the UN was founded in the aftermath of World War II.

Currently there are five permanent members of the Security Council who enjoy veto rights—Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States—and 10 non-permanent members.

“We have a 20th century organisation for the 21st century. It can’t work,” said Sarkozy.—AFP