UN General Assembly scheduled to elect five countries to serve in the UN Security Council beginning 2012

The council, which makes decisions on issues of peace and security worldwide, has five veto-wielding permanent members - the United States, Russia, China, France and Britain - and 10 members elected for two years, five of which exit the council each year.

The five elected members that will remain until December, 2012, are Colombia, Germany, India, Portugal and South Africa. - Sapa-dpa"

'via Blog this'UN to elect five new Security Council members - World News | IOL News | IOL.co.za: "The newly elected members will replace five countries that will leave the 15-nation council after completing two-year terms at the end of December. The outgoing countries are Bosnia, Brazil, Gabon, Lebanon and Nigeria, which represent the world's five regions.

Guatemala is the only candidate from Latin America and the Caribbean, seeking to replace Brazil.

Mauritania, Morocco and Togo are competing for the two seats for Africa on the council, now occupied by Gabon and Nigeria.

Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan are competing for the Asian seat now occupied by Lebanon.

Azerbaijan, Hungary and Slovenia of Eastern Europe are competing for the seat now occupied by Bosnia.