Swiss parliament votes to join UN

The UN's European HQ is in Geneva

By Emma Jane Kirby in Geneva

Switzerland's parliament has voted overwhelmingly in favour of the country becoming a member of the United Nations.

After two days of intense debate, the lower house of parliament, the House of Representatives, supported the motion to join the UN by a vote of 153 to 42.

Earlier this summer, the country's upper house of Parliament, the Senate, also endorsed UN membership.

Switzerland has always declined to join the organisation, despite the fact that the UN's European headquarters is based in Geneva.

Referendum next year

Five years ago, the Swiss people voted against UN membership by a three to one majority.

Now another referendum on the issue is to be held early next year.

The Swiss foreign ministry said it was becoming increasingly important for Switzerland to increase international co-operation, especially in the wake of last week's attacks in the United States.

Switzerland is one of the few countries, including the Vatican, not to be a full member of the UN.

But the proposal is not without its critics.

The right-wing Swiss People's Party is bitterly opposed to Switzerland joining the UN, arguing that such a move would compromise its neutrality and put its independence at risk.