New York, February 1 (RHC)-- On Monday, Venezuela assumed the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council, in a difficult international scenario marked by wars and terrorist attacks.

This will be the fifth time that the South American country will preside over the sessions of the council, which under the UN Charter has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.

Also on Monday, the Security Council held a closed-door session presided over by Venezuelan Ambassador Rafael Ramírez to define its work plan for the month of February.

Highlights on security council agenda include the conflicts in Syria, Yemen, South Sudan, Central African Republic, and the situation in the Middle East.

In October 2014, Venezuela was elected for one out of ten non-permanent seats on the UN Security Council for a two-year mandate that began on January 1st, 2015.