French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Tuesday that Brazil, Germany, India, Japan and an African country should join the U.N. Security Council as permanent members. During a news conference, Sarkozy, who was elected as president in May, called for an urgent reform of the 192-member United Nations.
The world body cannot work if it remains unchanged as a 20th century organization for the 21st century, he said.
Brazil, Germany, India and Japan -- known as the Group of Four -- have sought permanent seats at the Security Council for years.
The Security Council currently consists of five veto-wielding permanent members -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- and 10 non-permanent members.