Obama, in UN address, challenges world to unite around Israeli-Palestinian peace

Obama presses Mideast peace in UN address

UNITED NATIONS — President Barack Obama is exhorting the world to unite around the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, challenging the United Nations to support an agreement that would create an independent Palestine and a secure Israel in a year’s time.

In a speech to the annual session of the U.N. General Assembly on Thursday, Obama will say that an independent Palestinian state can only be won by peaceful means and reconciliation with Israel and that Israeli security is dependent on the creation of a sovereign Palestine.

He will also call on world leaders to cast aside decades of division over the conflict, overcome cynicism and prove their support for a settlement to be reached by the two sides that his administration is now pushing against long odds.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — President Barack Obama is taking a break from domestic concerns to put himself forward as an international statesman who has re-engaged the United States with the world after years of perceived neglect.

In a speech Thursday to foreign leaders at the annual U.N. General Assembly, Obama plans to serve up a broad-brush survey of global hot spots. He will emphasize efforts his administration is making to promote peace and stability from Iraq and Afghanistan to the Middle East while countering nuclear concerns in Iran and North Korea.

The address will be the president’s second to the world body. Obama will also meet privately with the leaders of China, Japan, Colombia, Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan.