MOSCOW -- The UN General Assembly said it is waiting for notification from the United States that it is withdrawing from the Human Rights Council, which is the first step toward the election of a replacement.

Assembly spokesman Brenden Varma told reporters Wednesday that the 2006 resolution creating the Geneva-based council doesn't mention possible withdrawal but it does specify the way its 47 seats are to be distributed among the UN's five regional groups.

Since the United States is a member of the mainly Western group, a candidate or candidates will have to come from that group, known as the West European and Others Group.

Once the country name or names are submitted, a date will be selected by the UN and Assembly President Miroslav Lajcak for election by the 193-member General Assembly. (AP)