MEZIESBLOG

Joe Biden has made his final address to the UN General Assembly as president of the United States.

The global media expected him to use his wide-ranging address to speak to the need to end the conflict in the Middle East.

World at another ‘inflection point’, Biden says

Joe Biden says many people will “see difficulties and react with despair” at the state of the world today.

In his final address to the UN General Assembly as president, he says he still has “hope” due to what he has encountered through more than 50 years in politics.

He points to “challenges” faced across the world, including the conflict in Gaza, as well as the Ukraine war and the crisis in Sudan.

The world is at another “inflection point”, he says, adding that the choices made today will “determine our future for decades to come”.

Diplomatic solution still possible despite escalation, says Biden

Joe Biden turned his attention to the Middle East during his speech at the UN. 

“Now is a time for the parties to finalise terms,” he says of a Gaza ceasefire.

He calls for the hostages to be returned home, Hamas to lose its grip on Gaza, and an end to the war.

“We’ve also been determined to prevent a wider war that engulfs the entire region,” the president adds, speaking of the escalation between Lebanon and Israel.

“A diplomatic solution is still possible. In fact, it remains the only path to lasting security.”

He says: “Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest.”