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.
