United Nations secretary general Kofi Annan has called for 191 UN member nations to make a quick decision on expanding the 15-nation Security Council.
In a report on sweeping UN reforms on Sunday, Mr Annan said the expansion of the council was vital before a summit of world leaders in September.
But he did not take a position on either of the plans before the General Assembly or comment on whether new Security Council members should get veto rights. However, he told nations they should not wait for a unanimous decision or consensus, indicating he expected a vote.
"It would be far preferable for member states to take this vital decision by consensus," Mr Annan wrote. "But if they are unable to reach consensus, this must not be an excuse for postponing action" in the still-divided assembly.
Germany, Japan, Brazil and India, who have formed a joint lobbying group for permanent seats, will probably bring a resolution soon that would call for the General Assembly to take a stand on "Plan A or Plan B," diplomats said, without specifying which countries would occupy the seats.
Plan A, proposed by a high-level panel, creates six new permanent members, plus three new nonpermanent members for a total of 24 seats in the council, which now has 15 seats.
The other proposal calls for eight seats in a new class of members, who would serve for four years, subject to renewal, plus one nonpermanent seat, also for a total of 24.