Panama would use its membership on the 15-member United Nations Security Council to seek peace and justice in the world, Foreign Minister Samuel Lewis Navarro told local television on Tuesday.

Panama won a place on the Council on Tuesday thanks to a compromise that ended a protracted fight between Venezuela and U.S.-backed Guatemala for the seat. It won 164 ballots of the total 190 cast in the 48th round of voting, far more than the 120 ballots constituting the required two-thirds majority.

Panama had received universal support and this "commits us even more to keeping communication channels open, and consulting all nations when we make decisions," Lewis Navarro said.

The success of Panama ended the impasse which had lasted 3 weeks since Oct. 16. During the previous 47 rounds of voting, the General Assembly had remained deadlocked as neither Guatemala nor Venezuela could get enough support to secure a victory despite Guatemala leading in every round with the exception of the sixth, on the first day of voting.

Under intense outside pressure, Guatemala and Venezuela agreed on Wednesday to withdraw their candidacies simultaneously and support Panama instead.

Panama will begin its two-year term on the Council from Jan. 1, 2007, replacing Argentina.

Belgium, Indonesia, Italy and South Africa were elected during the first round on Oct. 16 to serve as non-permanent members on the Council, replacing Denmark, Greece, Japan and Tanzania.

Source: Xinhua