The United States has threatened to veto a resolution introduced to the United Nations General Assembly by Brazil, Germany, Japan and India aimed at expanding the Security Council.

Shirin Tahir-Kheli, a senior adviser to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called on the General Assembly to vote down the resolution. She said if the assembly approved it, Washington would use its veto. The proposal has also been criticised by a number of other countries, including Canada and Pakistan. If adopted, the resolution would make Brazil, Germany, Japan and India permanent members of a 25-seat Security Council. It would also give two African countries permanent seats. The Security Council currently has five permanent and 10 non-permanent members.