UNITED NATIONS, Aug 30: The G-4 Japan, Germany, India and Brazil on Monday abandoned efforts to seek a vote on their framework resolution on UN Security Council reforms after their campaign was dealt a severe blow by the African Union, diplomats here said.

Although it had become abundantly clear in early August that without the African support the G-4 aspirations for permanent seat in the UN Security council was doomed, they had held hope for a compromise with the group. On Monday the ambassadors from G-4 group told UN General Assembly President Jean Ping that the four countries will seek a resolution to the issue by the end of this year.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan had expressed hope that reforms process could be placed on track as late as December.