Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit said Monday that Arab and Islamic civilizations should be represented at the United Nations Security Council when it is enlarged, the official MENA news agency reported.

"Egypt's bid to get a permanent seat at the UN Security Council is backed by its status as a main regional power and by a history of supporting freedom movements in the developing world," Abul Gheit said in a speech to the Shura Council.

A high-level panel on the UN reform proposed last year two models for enlarging the UN Security Council. Under the first model, the council would get six new permanent members without veto power and three new non-permanent members for a two-year term.

The second proposal suggests eight semi-permanent seats, elected to serve an unlimited number of four-year terms, and one non-permanent member for a two-year term be added.

Under both models, two seats are designated for the African continent, and the Arab world is not specifically mentioned for a seat.

Egypt, South Africa and Nigeria are competing for representing Africa at the Security Council. Arab countries have said they will back Egypt's bid.

Source: Xinhua