Facts on U.N. Security Council

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NEW YORK (CNN) -- Here are some facts on the U.N. Security Council from its Web site:

The council has 15 members.

Five of the 15 are permanent members -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.

The current nonpermanent members, which serve two-year terms, are Argentina, Republic of Congo, Denmark, Ghana, Greece, Japan, Peru, Qatar, Slovakia and Tanzania.

Decisions on major issues require nine votes, including the approval of all five permanent members. The rule of unanimity among the five powers is referred to as the "veto power."

Only the council can make decisions that U.N. member states are required under the charter to carry out.

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