The five permanent members (P5) of the UN Security Council and Japan on Saturday agreed on a draft presidential statement on the rocket launch by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), a senior British diplomat said.

British UN ambassador John Sawers is interviewed by reporters after a UN Security Council closed-door meeting at the headquarters of UN, New York, April 11, 2009. [Xinhua]

"We now have an understanding amongst Britain, the United States, China, Russia, France and Japan on a draft presidential statement to put to the Security Council members this afternoon," John Sawers, the British UN ambassador, told reporters after a closed-door meeting, which lasted some one and a half hours.

Susan Rice, the US ambassador to the United Nations, told reporters that "we reached an understanding among the P5 plus Japan on the text of the presidential statement, which we will propose to the Security Council. We think this text sends a clear message."

Meanwhile, the Japanese UN ambassador, Yukio Takasu, said: "It is be understood we not disclose the contents of this (statement) before sharing with other Security Council members this afternoon."

The 15-nation Security Council was scheduled to meet behind closed doors on Saturday afternoon to consider the draft presidential statement, which is not binding.

The agreement on the draft presidential statement shows progress made at the closed-door consultations among P5 and Japan, they will submit the draft to the Security Council in order to win support from other council members.

(Xinhua News Agency April 12, 2009)