The United States won a seat on the U.N. Human Rights Council.
The U.S. success in elections Tuesday reverses a Bush administration policy of boycotting the group in part because of its focus on Israel.
President Obama has made the move a cornerstone of his foreign policy efforts, viewing the council as part of his "new era of engagement," the Associated Press reported.
Four nations accused of human rights abuses - Cuba, Saudi Arabia, China and Russia - also joined the Geneva-based council.
