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Foreign Ministers to Address UN General Assembly


The United Nations General Assembly is holding a special session Saturday, during which foreign ministers will address the world body.

Ministers from Russia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Syria and North Korea are among the senior officials scheduled to speak at the general debate in New York.

Throughout the week, world leaders have called for an international response to global crises, including turmoil in financial markets, skyrocketing food and fuel prices, and climate change.

On Friday, the fourth day of the U.N. general debate, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the world's problems can not be resolved unless nations act together. He also called for urgent action to stabilize world financial markets.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said he is committed to peace with Israel, but said partial or interim solutions will undermine the peace process.

He said a peace deal must include a just solution to the status of Palestinian refugees, and a Palestinian state alongside Israel based on the 1967 borders.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said his government is committed to resolving all outstanding issues with Pakistan. He also said his country, a nuclear power, is committed to non-proliferation.

Haitian Prime Minister Rene Preval thanked the international community for its assistance after recent storms killed about 500 people. But he expressed concern Haiti might be alone in its efforts to rebuild the country, the poorest in the Western Hemisphere.

The annual, week-long general debate gives world leaders the chance to highlight their countries' concerns and accomplishments to other U.N. members.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.


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