South Sudan becomes newest member of UN

The United Nations on Thursday voted to admit South Sudan as its 193rd member, just days after the country proudly proclaimed independence following decades of civil war. "I declare South Sudan a member of the United Nations," said Joseph Deiss, president of the UN General Assembly, after a vote by acclamation. The vote came after the Security Council on Wednesday recommended South Sudan be admitted as the newest member of the United Nations. On Saturday South Sudan declared independence before tens of thousands of its citizens and numerous foreign leaders following nearly 50 years of war with Sudan and millions of deaths. German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council, said Wednesday South Sudan had agreed "to uphold the proposals and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. "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."