World Bulletin/News Desk

New non-permanent two-year terms began at the UN Security Council on Thursday.

Angola, Malaysia, New Zealand, Spain and Venezuela replaced Argentina, Australia, Luxembourg, South Korea and Rwanda, whose terms finished at the end of 2014.

The United Nations' most powerful body comprises 15 members, with five permanent members China, France, Russia, the U.K. and the U.S. yielding the right of veto on any resolution.

Others still serving are Chad, Chile, Jordan, Lithuania and Nigeria, who won their non-permanent seats in the 2013 election for the 2014-15 term.

The council is tasked with maintaining international peace and security and developing friendly relations among nations. It can slap financial sanctions and can authorize the use of force in conflicts.

Its structure, however, faces criticism for the over-riding influence of the permanent members, who were granted their seats because of their roles in the formation of the UN in 1945 as the victors of World War II.