Security Council Recommends U.N. Admit South Sudan

The Security Council on Wednesday recommended the admission of South Sudan as the newest member of the United Nations, a decision which goes to the U.N. General Assembly on Thursday.

The move comes after South Sudan declared independence before tens of thousands of its citizens and numerous foreign leaders Saturday following nearly 50 years of war with Sudan and millions of deaths.

"The Council notes with great satisfaction the Republic of South Sudan's commitment to uphold the proposals and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and to fulfill all the obligations contained therein," said German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the Council.

"We look forward to the Republic of South Sudan joining us as a member of the United Nations and to working closely with its representatives."

Thursday, the U.N. General Assembly will meet in the morning to formally announce South Sudan's membership.

The Security Council has approved a resolution calling for the 7,000 soldiers and 900 civilians from the Sudan mission to leave by the end of August and be transferred to the new U.N. mission to the South Sudan and to a U.N. force located in the disputed town of Abyei.

The Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution at the end of June to send 4,200 U.N. soldiers from Ethiopia to Abyei.

The international community, and in particular the United States, China, Russia and the European Union, were quick to recognize the world's newest country, which despite its vast oil reserves is among the poorest in the world.