UNITED NATIONS, United States (AFP) — Saudi Arabia, yesterday, won a UN Security Council seat for the first time in a new show of determination to make its voice heard, joining Chad, Chile, Lithuania and Nigeria in taking places on the key body.

All five countries stood unopposed in an election by the 193 member UN General Assembly. They will replace Azerbaijan, Guatemala, Morocco, Pakistan and Togo on the 15-nation council on January 1.

Saudi Arabia, despite its oil power and standing in the Muslim world, has never competed for a place on the United Nations’ most powerful body which has a key role pronouncing on conflicts such as that in Syria.

Saudi Arabia is seeking a more active role in key international bodies even though its own record on women’s rights and human rights has been criticised, according to diplomats and observers.

Saudi Arabia, which takes over from Pakistan as an Asia-Pacific representative, deliberately held back from standing for the Security Council in the past. But it wants to be “a voice” for those worried about President Bashar al-Assad in Syria, Iran and other issues. The Saudi government also remains a fierce critic of Israel.