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Iran seeks Security Council seat Iran Security Council bid fails
(about 7 hours later)
Voting is to begin shortly at the UN headquarters in New York to decide which nations will serve as temporary members of the Security Council. Japan has been elected as a temporary member of the UN Security Council, defeating Iran for the Asian seat.
Japan and Iran are competing for Asia's seat on the world body charged with enforcing international peace. In the vote at the UN headquarters in New York, Japan received 158 votes and Iran received 32.
Iceland is battling it out with Turkey and Austria for two European seats - but its chances could be affected by the global financial crisis. Turkey and Austria have been elected for the two European seats, defeating Iceland. Uganda and Mexico won their seats unopposed.
All 192 member countries at the United Nations are eligible to vote. The five successful countries will take their seats at the Security Council on 1 January 2009.
The lobbying is entering its final few hours, and ambassadors describe the atmosphere as feverish. They will replace South Africa, Panama, Indonesia, Italy and Belgium.
Countries are deploying their foreign ministers to twist arms and shore up votes in the closing moments of the campaigns. The BBC's Laura Trevelyan in New York says that Japan, as the second biggest contributor to UN funds, is well regarded and seen as a contender for a permanent Security Council seat.
Iran, however, has had Security Council sanctions imposed upon it over its nuclear programme.
Financial setback
In the race for the two European seats, Iceland was always the underdog but its financial collapse did not help, with diplomats saying that could well have cost it votes, our correspondent says.
As lobbying entered its final few hours, ambassadors described the atmosphere as feverish.
Countries deployed their foreign ministers to twist arms and shore up votes in the closing moments of the campaigns.
Temporary seats on the UN Security Council are highly sought after as countries get to impose sanctions, deploy peacekeepers and influence policy in trouble spots ranging from North Korea to Darfur.Temporary seats on the UN Security Council are highly sought after as countries get to impose sanctions, deploy peacekeepers and influence policy in trouble spots ranging from North Korea to Darfur.
Japan is expected to defeat Iran in the race for the Asia's seat, although everyone is watching to see whether Iran can muster enough votes in the first round of voting to deprive Japan of the two-thirds majority, forcing a second round. All 192 member countries at the UN were eligible to vote.
Iceland, Turkey and Austria are in a three-way race for two European seats - diplomats predict that Iceland's very public financial collapse could damage its standing and cost it votes.
However, Icelandic diplomats says countries are actually sympathetic to its plight.
Uganda and Mexico are expected to win seats as both countries are running uncontested for the African and Latin American seats respectively.
The five successful countries will take their seats on 1 January 2009.