The majority of the board of the International Atomic Energy Agency has voted to censure Iran for its nuclear defiance.

Major world powers met in Brussels on Friday to discuss Iran's rejection of an international nuclear fuel deal, after US President Barack Obama warned Tehran must face the consequences.

Making a strong pitch for comprehensive reforms of the UN Security Council, India has cautioned that deferring a decision on the issue would only erode the credibility of the world body's top organ.

Former US President George W Bush on Saturday favoured a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) seat for India, saying it has "arrived" as a strong democratic country in the world.

The UN Human Rights Council endorsed a report on Friday that accused Israel and the Palestinian hardliners Hamas of war crimes in the Gaza conflict, dealing a fresh diplomatic blow to the Jewish state.

Iran on Monday test-fired its long-range Shahab-3 missile which it says could hit targets in arch-foe Israel, as the Revolutionary Guards staged missile war games for the second straight day.

Asserting that majority members of the UN General Assembly support expansion of the Security Council, India on Friday said that the body would remain beset with the "current problem" unless it was reformed.

The UN Security Council met in emergency session to try to agree to a statement slamming Myanmar's decision to extend the house arrest of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi.

North Korea said on Saturday that UN sanctions would not work on the communist state but only harden its will to build up its military.

Tens of thousands of North Koreans rallied in Pyongyang on Monday to condemn the UN rebuke of the country's latest nuclear test amid concern the communist regime could conduct another one.

The UN Security Council on Friday punished North Korea for its second nuclear test, imposing tough new sanctions, expanding an arms embargo and authorizing ship searches on the high seas.

Calling for a major role of the General Assembly in the election of the Secretary-General, India has questioned the current system in which the Security Council decides on a name for the top UN post and the 192-member Assembly rubber stamps the decision.

Expressing concern over the recent developments in Fiji, the 15-member US Security Council has called for restoration of democracy in this South Pacific island nation.

North Korea announced on Tuesday that it would quit six-nation disarmament talks and strengthen its nuclear deterrent in protest at a UN statement condemning its rocket launch earlier this month.

The UN Security Council has condemned the recent rocket launch by North Korea, saying it is in violation of 2006 resolution that barred the reclusive communist nation from conducting missile-related activities.

The five permanent UN Security Council members and Japan have agreed on a draft statement condemning North Korea's missile launch and are in favour of fresh sanctions against the country, diplomats said.

The UN Security Council approved an emergency session on Sunday to deal with North Korea's rocket launch.

Sudan's President Omar al-Beshir, defying an international arrest warrant over Darfur, lashed out at the UN Security Council on Monday and urged fellow Arab leaders to reject his indictment.

The Security Council has voted unanimously to extend the UN mission in Afghanistan for a year with a mandate to lead international civilian efforts to continue developmental work and the need to ensure credible presidential polls in the country.

As representatives of the world body met to launch parleys on reforms, Indian UN Ambassador Nirupam Sen called for 'actual negotiations,' charging that a 'minority' that does not want real progress looks forward to wasting time simply making statements.

The United States has said that the UN Security Council needs to reflect the ground realties of the 21st century and it would work with other members of the world body to make that happen.

The UN Security Council on Thursday sounded the alarm about increasing violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by warring parties that particularly affect civilians.

The UN Security Council voted 14-0 late on Thursday calling on Israel and Hamas to "immediately" cease fire in the Gaza conflict.

The UN Security Council was to meet again on Tuesday to weigh an Arab call for an immediate ceasefire in the conflict in the Gaza Strip and for protection of Palestinian civilians, diplomats said.

The United States, late on Saturday, blocked approval of a UN Security Council statement calling for an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip and southern Israel and expressing concern at the escalation of violence between Israel and Hamas.