1.   Five countries have permanent seats on the UN Security Council, but Germany and Japan, among others, are knocking on the door.

2.   Five countries have permanent seats on the UN Security Council but Germany and Japan, among others, are knocking on the door.

3.   Along with Germany and Japan, Australia too has clamored recently for a permanent seat.

4.   Among them are immunity from prosecution for outgoing presidents and vice presidents and a permanent seat in parliament.

5.   And many nations say the time has come to discuss one or two permanent seats for the European Union, to be apportioned as they choose.

6.   And there should be no monopoly by the Western powers on the permanent seats at the Security Council.

7.   Any expansion would mean intense competition for permanent seats, and many seasoned officials here are doubtful that reform could come quickly.

8.   Developing nations would compete for the three permanent seats allotted to them.

9.   Does Tokyo really want a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, with all the responsibilities that would entail?

10.   Egypt, a Security Council member, cannot veto the sanctions, however, because it does not hold a permanent seat.