BEIJING, Nov. 29 -- Under its new government, Germany continues to seek a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council.

    German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier spoke to the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan during his visit to the US.

    "In our view, the reform of the Security Council also means its expansion. Our petition is on the table. We think there is a good chance it will be approved."

    In his meeting with Annan, Steinmeier also discussed reports that the CIA set up secret jails in some European nations and transported terror suspects by covert flights.

    He expressed Germany's concern about the reports.

    The Council of Europe, the continent's main human rights watchdog, is looking into it.

    The United States has not confirmed the existence of the secret prisons. Eastern European countries deny knowledge of any covert facilities.

    Steinmeier's visit paves the way for new German Chancellor Angela Merkel's first meeting with Bush. She's expected to meet him in Washington next January.

    Merkel repeatedly pledged to strengthen relations with the United States. Ties between the two nations deteriorated after former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder openly opposed the U.S. led war on Iraq. Enditem

(Source: CRIENGLISH.com)