primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.

The functions of the Council fall mainly under two headings:

o Pacific settlement of disputes

o Action with respect to threats to the peace, breaches of the peace and acts of aggression.

♤ It has 15 Members (5 permanent and 10 non-permanent members). The non permanent members are elected to serve a two year term. The membership was last expanded in 1965.

♤ 10 non-permanent members should be elected according to the following pattern: five from African and Asia–Pacific states, one from Eastern European states, two from Latin American and Caribbean states, and two from Western European and Other states.