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President Obama gives his vision of US leadership to UN President Obama gives his vision of US leadership to UN
(35 minutes later)
President Barack Obama is addressing the United Nations and laying out a broad vision of American leadership in a changing world. President Barack Obama has laid out a broad vision of American leadership in a changing world, in a UN speech.
His sixth address to the UN General Assembly was expected to be dominated by US efforts to defeat Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria. He told the UN General Assembly the world had not confronted the intolerance, sectarianism and hopelessness that feeds extremism.
Officials said he would give a forceful and optimistic message of leadership. The president said the Ebola outbreak, Islamist militancy and Russian aggression needed addressing.
Opening the debate, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon warned that human rights were "under attack". He added the world was at a crossroads between "war and peace" and "fear and hope".
"From barrel bombs to beheadings, from the deliberate starvation of civilians to the assault on hospitals, UN shelters and aid convoys, human rights and the rule of law are under attack," he told the 193 nations represented. Mr Obama told the 193 nations: "On issue after issue, we cannot rely on a rule-book written for a different century."
In the first address to the assembly on Wednesday, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff focused on the world's economy and the recent economic crisis. "If we lift our eyes beyond our borders - if we think globally and act cooperatively - we can shape the course of this century as our predecessors shaped the post-World War II age."
"It is vital and urgent to restore the dynamism of the global economy, which should work towards fostering investment, international trade and the reduction of inequalities among countries," she said. Mr Obama was sharply critical of Russian actions in Ukraine, saying it was an example of what happens when countries do not respect international laws.
The US president followed the Brazilian premier and addressed the issues of conflict in Ukraine and Ebola. He called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to follow "the path of diplomacy and peace and the ideals this institution is designed to uphold".
Mr Obama's speech marks a turning point in his presidency which had been focused on ending conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. But his speech was dominated with what he described as the "cancer" of extremism in the Islamic world.
Instead, he outlined America's role as the lead player in a coalition of more than 50 countries committed to defeating Islamic State militants. The president outlined America's role as the lead player in a coalition of more than 50 countries committed to defeating Islamic State militants.
The US has carried out a number of airstrikes against the militants in Iraq since August.The US has carried out a number of airstrikes against the militants in Iraq since August.
On Monday, Mr Obama extended these strikes into Syria, joined by the Arab nations Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.On Monday, Mr Obama extended these strikes into Syria, joined by the Arab nations Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.
Qatar played a supporting role in the military action.Qatar played a supporting role in the military action.
Officials said Mr Obama would call on the world to join him in this effort to degrade and ultimately destroy this terrorist organisation. In his speech he called on the world to join him in this effort to degrade and ultimately destroy this terrorist organisation, what he described as a "network of death".
He was expected to speak comprehensively about the need to tackle the roots of terrorism, and the importance of offering alternatives to young people who are attracted to militancy. He spoke about the need to tackle the roots of terrorism, and the importance of offering alternatives to young people who are attracted to militancy.
Officials said the president would also address the ways the US has sought to mobilise international action over the crisis in Ukraine, including securing economic sanctions. Mr Obama admitted the US had sometimes failed to live up to its ideals but said he welcomed the scrutiny of the world.
Mr Obama was expected to refer to his decision last week to send 3,000 troops to West Africa to help with the Ebola outbreak. The US, he said, held "an unyielding belief in the ability of individual men and women to change their communities and countries for the better".
He will also discuss ongoing nuclear talks with Iran which have become deadlocked in recent months. Opening the debate, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon warned that human rights were "under attack".
"From barrel bombs to beheadings, from the deliberate starvation of civilians to the assault on hospitals, UN shelters and aid convoys, human rights and the rule of law are under attack," he told the 193 nations represented.
In the first address to the assembly, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff focused on the world's economy and the recent economic crisis.
"It is vital and urgent to restore the dynamism of the global economy, which should work towards fostering investment, international trade and the reduction of inequalities among countries," she said.