Libya won a seat on the powerful UN Security Council on Tuesday. Libya was virtually assured of election because it has been endorsed by the African group along with Burkina Faso and faced no opposition. Vietnam, which was endorsed by the Asian group, also ran unopposed. All three countries won in the first round of voting, but the battle for seats from Latin America and Eastern Europe went to a second round.
General Assembly President Srgjan Kerim announced after the first round of balloting that Burkina Faso received 185 votes, Vietnam 183 votes and Libya 178 votes. He then declared them elected as diplomats from the 192 UN member states burst into applause.
Croatia, Czech Republic, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic were still battling for seats. The five countries elected to the council will take their seats on January 1, 2008.
