Watch CBS News

Obama presses Mideast peace in UN address

AP Photo/Seth Wenig

President Barack Obama is calling on the world to unite around the Mideast peace process.

Otherwise, he says, "more blood will be shed," and the Holy Land will still be a "symbol of our differences, instead of our common humanity."

His remarks were prepared for his speech this hour to the annual session of the U.N. General Assembly.

President Barack Obama is calling anew for Iran to demonstrate a "clear and credible commitment" to a peaceful nuclear program.

At the same time, the president tells fellow world leaders gathered at the United Nations that the "door remains open to diplomacy should Iran choose to walk through it." But Obama also noted that he made the same overture - in the same forum - a year ago, and tensions continue.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, in an interview Sunday with The Associated Press, said "the future belongs to Iran," and challenged the United States to accept that Tehran has a major role in world affairs.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.