The United Nations Security Council has recommended newly-independent South Sudan for U.N. membership.

In a statement Wednesday, the council noted South Sudan's commitment to upholding the U.N. charter and said it looked forward to the new country joining the world body.

The U.N. General Assembly is expected to vote in favor of South Sudan's membership Thursday.

The new nation will become the 193rd member of the U.N.

South Sudan declared independence on Saturday, splitting from the rest of Sudan. The sides had fought a bloody 21-year civil war that ended in 2005.

The two African neighbors are still trying to work out disputes over borders and oil revenue. The U.N. Security Council recently authorized deployment of a new peacekeeping force to the disputed Abyei region.