Obama expresses "appreciation" for Brazilian seat on the UN Security Council

In a document signed today, US President Barack Obama said he sees with "appreciation" the Brazilian aspirations to a permanent position on the UN Security Council.

Obama spoke soon after signing a bilateral document with Brazilian President Dilma Roussef and said that he welcomes enthusiastically Brazil"s rise as a global economic power.

His five-day visit to Brazil, Chile and El Salvador is intended to strengthen the economic ties between the United States and Latin America.

Obama praised the trade relationship between the two countries but pointed out that much more could be done by both Brazil and the US to improve their economic relationship, particularly in the clean energy sector.

Obama"s visit to Brazil is likely to be eclipsed by the consequences of the earthquake in Japan and the prospect of armed intervention in Libya.

About the intervention in the Arab country, Obama said in his speech that the Libyan people need to be protected. "We are prepared to act, and to act urgently", he said, adding no further details.

Tradução de PAULO MIGLIACCI