Republican presumptive nominee John McCain has declared he will back Brazil's inclusion on an expanded U.N. Security Council, according to an interview conducted by the Brazilian press.

The International Herald Tribune reports that, in an interview published with the presidential contender by the newspaper O Estado de Sao Paulo, McCain said he, "supports a permanent seat on the UN Security Council for Brazil and an increased participation for the country in the G-8," while also reiterating his view that India should also be granted a place.

Despite the Arizona senator's welcome support, Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva meanwhile has refused to endorse either candidate for president though said a Barack Obama win would be a "watershed moment" for the United States.

He told Reuters that the time was ripe for better relations between the U.S. and Brazil and called for a new "positive approach".

"The United States needs to stop viewing Latin America with a conspiratorial eye. There is no one left pushing for revolution in Latin America anymore," he said.

Image: Sen. John McCain addresses the audience at the 129th National Guard Association of the United States General Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Aug. 25, 2007. Credit: U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jim Greenhill/flickr.