S. Sudan seeks UN spot

UNITED NATIONS - South Sudan could become a United Nations member state quickly after declaring independence, under a timetable given by the UN Security Council's president on Tuesday.

South Sudan is preparing to declare independence on Saturday and the United Nations is gearing up to become guardian of what will be its 193rd member state.

The UN Security Council will likely adopt a resolution on July 13 to recommend the membership of South Sudan, German Ambassador Peter Wittig, UN Security Council president this month, told reporters on Tuesday.