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UK PM Cameron tells UN to 'seize' spread of democracy | |
(40 minutes later) | |
The international community must "seize" the "massive opportunity" of the spread of democracy in the Arab Spring, David Cameron has told the UN. | |
In his first speech to the United Nations General Assembly, the UK PM urged the UN to be "united in action". | |
"To fail to act is to fail those who need our help," he told world leaders, saying the UN needed a "new way of working". | |
Mr Cameron has had talks with President Barack Obama during his US visit. | Mr Cameron has had talks with President Barack Obama during his US visit. |
In his address, Mr Cameron said: "My argument today is that Libya and the Arab Spring shows the UN needs a new way of working. | |
"Because the Arab Spring is a massive opportunity to spread peace, prosperity, democracy and vitally security, but only if we really seize it." | |
He said: "It's a call to make sure that as well as signing declarations and resolutions we actually show political will and get things done. | He said: "It's a call to make sure that as well as signing declarations and resolutions we actually show political will and get things done. |
"I think this is the lesson of Libya: yes, we had the UN backing, but countries were prepared to come together and act and, as a result, we see a country that's moving towards freedom." | "I think this is the lesson of Libya: yes, we had the UN backing, but countries were prepared to come together and act and, as a result, we see a country that's moving towards freedom." |
As he met Mr Obama at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York earlier, Mr Cameron said that Libya was moving to a "good conclusion" after the ousting of Col Gaddafi. | As he met Mr Obama at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York earlier, Mr Cameron said that Libya was moving to a "good conclusion" after the ousting of Col Gaddafi. |
He added that the UK and US were working closely together on Afghanistan and the Middle East peace process, and said the transatlantic relationship was as "strong as it's ever been". | He added that the UK and US were working closely together on Afghanistan and the Middle East peace process, and said the transatlantic relationship was as "strong as it's ever been". |
The US president called it an "extraordinarily special relationship", adding: "I am very fortunate that over the last year or two David and I have been able to, I think, establish an excellent friendship as well." | The US president called it an "extraordinarily special relationship", adding: "I am very fortunate that over the last year or two David and I have been able to, I think, establish an excellent friendship as well." |