UNGA begins 66th session; PM to address on September 24

   United Nations, Sep 13 (PTI) World leaders including US
 President Barack Obama and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan
 Singh will be in New York next week to address the 66th
 session of the United Nations General Assembly, which
 commences here on Tuesday.
   Singh is scheduled to address the world body's 193-member
 policymaking organ at the General Debate on September 24.
   This year, the session would see Palestinians take their
 bid for a statehood to the United Nations.
   The Prime Minister will be making an appearance at the UN
 General Assembly after a gap of three years.
   He was last here in 2008, and during the visit he had
 held meetings with Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari.
   Apart from addressing the UNGA, Singh is likely to hold
 bilateral meetings with several world leaders.
   Obama would address the UN General Assembly on September
 21, the first day of the general debate.
   After a gap of 19 years, India was elected for a two year
 term as a non-permanent member of the Security Council.
   With issues ranging from terrorism, international
 security, political instability in the Middle East and North
 African countries to the economic crisis plaguing countries
 across the world, all eyes and ears will be set on the world
 leaders and their messages as they take the floor for the
 general debate from September 21 to 27.
   Another issue that is expected to cause political
 tensions is the Palestinian bid for statehood.
   Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas is expected to submit
 a formal request asking the United Nations to accept Palestine
 as its 194th member at the General Assembly. The US has
 already said it would object to such a bid and would veto any such resolution in the UN Security Council.