Lithuania seeks to become one of the 10 non-permanent Security Council members for two years. To be elected, a country has to secure two thirds of the vote during a ballot at the General Assembly. The United Nations has a total of 193 members.
Diplomats have confirmed to BNS that Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius will attend the ballot in New York on Thursday, which will elect five members. Lithuania is the only candidate from Central and Eastern Europe, while candidates from other regions include Chad, Nigeria, Chile, and Saudi Arabia.
The UN Security Council consists of 15 members of the UN. It is the only institution which can sanction a military intervention, in line with the international law. Decisions are made by the majority of nine votes. The United States of America, China, Russia, France, and Great Britain are permanent members and have a veto right.
The council lately made crucial decisions about chemical weapons in Syria or a military attack in Libya.
If elected, Lithuania would be the first Baltic nation to become a member of the Security Council.
