New York - The United Nations General Assembly on Friday elected five countries to serve two-year terms on the UN Security Council, the top political body responsible for the maintenance of peace and security around the world. Japan, Uganda, Mexico, Turkey and Austria won the required two- thirds majority of votes in the 192-nation assembly. They will begin their terms on January 1, 2009.
Iran, which competed with Japan for the Asian seat now occupied by Indonesia, was defeated. Japan won with 158 votes against Iran's 32 votes.
It will be the 10th time that Japan will serve in the UN council, more terms than any other country except the five permanent members - the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France.
Iceland, with 87 votes, was defeated in its bid to win the council seats reserved for Western Europe. Austria and Turkey won with 133 votes and 151 votes respectively.
Uganda and Mexico, running unopposed, won the African and Latin American and Caribbean seats.
The five council seats that will be vacated on December 31 are now occupied by Belgium, Indonesia, Italy, Panama and South Africa.
The 15-nation council is composed of five permanent members and 10 members that elected to serve two-year terms.
