World's top emerging economies expected to play bigger global role

NEW YORK - While leaders of the world's five largest emerging economies concluded their meeting looking for bigger roles in international affairs, experts have predicted an optimistic but uneven road ahead.

On Thursday, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - collectively labeled by the media as BRICS - expressed their opposition to the use of force in Libya and agreed in principle to establish mutual credit lines denominated in their local currencies, not in US dollars. They also sought for a bigger voice in the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank after meeting in Sanya, Hainan province.