Obama took his call to the 68th U.N. General Assembly and said all nations need to “step up to meet humanitarian needs in Syria and surrounding countries.”
Obama also used the podium to issue a direct appeal to Iran’s new president Hassan Rouhani, calling for a diplomatic resolution of Iran’s disputed nuclear program as a “major step down a long road” toward better relations.
“The roadblocks may prove to be too great, but I firmly believe the diplomatic path must be tested,” Obama said in a lengthy address to the United Nations General Assembly.
“Iran’s genuine commitment to go down a different path will be good for the region and the world and will help the Iranian people meet their extraordinary potential.”
Rouhani is scheduled to speak Monday afternoon and was not present in the hall during Obama’s address.
