South Sudan is the 193rd member of the UN

UNITED NATIONS: South Sudan, the world's newest nation, on Thursday also became the newest member of the United Nations after being voted in by the world body as its 193rd member.

The United Nations General Assembly admitted South Sudan into its fold, days after it became an independent nation breaking away from its parent country Sudan.

"I declare South Sudan a member of the United Nations," said Joseph Deiss, president of the UN General Assembly, after a vote by acclamation.

The Security Council had yesterday recommended that South Sudan be admitted in the United Nations as its latest member.

"We look forward to the Republic of South Sudan joining us as a member of the United Nations and to working closely with its representatives," German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council, had said.

South Sudan attained independence on July 9 following nearly 50 years of war and millions of lives lost. The independence came seven years after it signed a peace agreement in 2005 to end a decades-long war with Sudan.