Beirut  - Lebanon's outgoing Premier Fouad Seniora said late Thursday that the support of 180 countries out of 190 for Lebanon's bid as one of the five two-year non-permanent seats in the UN Security Council proved that the "Lebanese democratic state has the respect of its Arab and international friends."

"Lebanon views this step as an international mandate for the example it sets in coexistence and democracy in the region," Seniora said in a statement.

"The world has backed Lebanon, despite its many problems, because it believes it is a message to the region and a bridge between cultures," Seniora said.

He added that "in its new position, over the next two years, Lebanon will be capable of defending regional and local causes, namely to support legal rights as well as a fair and comprehensive peace to liberate Lebanon's occupied territories and secure peace, progress and international stability."

Lebanon, Nigeria, Gabon, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Brazil were elected on Thursday to serve two-year terms on the UN Security Council.

The five new council members will begin their terms January 1, respectively replacing outgoing Vietnam, Libya, Burkina Faso, Croatia and Costa Rica.  dpa