By John Irish
NICE France (Reuters) - French President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Monday that Africa should be represented on the U.N. Security Council, promising to push for reforms when France takes over the G8/G20 chair next year.
Speaking at the launch of the 25th Africa-France summit, he said it was time for the world to make a place for Africa on the global stage to discuss international crises and reforms.
"I am convinced that we can't talk about big global questions without Africa any longer," Sarkozy told about 800 delegates including the presidents of South Africa, the only G20 member from Africa, as well as OPEC Producer Nigeria and Egypt.
"The Security Council must be reformed and it's not normal that Africa does not have a member of the Security Council".
African nations have asked for two rotating permanent seats since 2005, given it has about 27 percent of members at the United Nations, the size of the continent and the involvement of global powers on its territory.
China, the United States, Russia, Britain and France are the permanent members of the Council. Nigeria, Gabon and Uganda are non-permanent members.
