Iceland, Iran up for seats on UN Security Council

United Nations: Iceland and Iran are vying for member seats on the powerful UN Security Council.

The 192-member General Assembly meets on Friday to vote for five new non-permanent members of the 15-seat council.

Candidates must get a two-thirds majority of members voting in the secret ballot to win.

Iceland will battle Austria and Turkey for one of two European seats open on the Security Council.

Iceland was considered a strong candidate, until the recent global financial crisis threatened its economy and crushed its banks.

During Friday's voting, Turkey is expected to get strong support from Islamic countries.

Ten of the council's 15 seats are filled by the regional groups for two-year stretches.

The other five are occupied by its veto-wielding permanent members: Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.

The five countries elected to the council will take their seats on January 1,replacing Belgium, Indonesia, Italy, Panama and South Africa.