UN delegates have elected Japan, Turkey, Austria, Mexico and Uganda to the international body's powerful Security Council for 2009-10.

Iran, which is under UN sanctions over its nuclear programme, and Iceland, which is on the verge of bankruptcy, were defeated in the vote on Friday.

The Security Council wields a great deal of power, including the ability to impose sanctions and dispatch peacekeepers.

"There are also fringe benefits to being on the Security Council in that you have the ear of the developed world," said Kristen Saloomey, Al Jazeera's correspondent reporting from New York.

"There are studies that show that the countries which are on Security Council with non-permanent seats benefit financially. Aid from the developed world tends to flow into these countries when they are in a position to help or hurt.

"One study showed that US aid increases by 59 per cent to countries when they serve on the Security Council."

Election favourite

Japan, having already served nine terms on the council, was a favourite with analysts and easily won the Asian seat.

Japan took 158 votes against 32 for Iran, Miguel d'Escoto, the assembly's Nicaraguan president, announced.

Despite sanctions imposed by the UN over its nuclear programme, Iran had challenged Japan for the seat.

Led by the US, many countries have expressed concern that Iran could produce a nuclear weapon.

Iran says its nuclear activity is for purely civilian purposes.

European seats

Among the European nations, Austria and Turkey won places on the Security Council, while Iceland's bid was defeated.

Iceland had been considered a strong candidate, until the recent global financial crisis threatened its economy and crushed its banks.

In the end, Iceland won only 87 votes.

Mexico and Uganda ran uncontested and won seats representing Latin America and Africa respectively.