Belgium certain of UNSC seat after Israeli withdrawal - report

BRUSSELS, May 6 (KUNA) -- After the recent Israeli withdrawal of a candidature for the seat on the UNSC, Belgium is now certain of becoming a non-permanent member of the Council.
Efforts will continue to persuade as many countries as possible to support his country's candidature, Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders Belgian told reporters Sunday.
"I take note of Israel's decision. However, we must continue with our campaign. We need a two thirds majority to be elected and we will continue to campaign during the coming weeks to convince as many countries as possible to vote for us," he said.
There were three candidates; Germany, Israel and Belgium for two seats on the Security Council.
A vote will be held on June 8 to decide what countries will be non-permanent members of the UNSC during 2019 and 2020.
The vote will be a secret ballot held during a meeting of the UN General Assembly. However, with just two candidates for two seats the vote will be little more than a formality, noted the reports.
The UNSC is made up of five permanent members; France, UK, Russia, China, and US, in addition to 10 non-permanent members that sit on the Security Council for a period of two years.
Unlike the permanent members, the non-permanent members do not have the right of veto. (end) nk.ma