Qatari diplomat elected as UN General Assembly PresidentJune 23, 2011 - 11:56 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A senior Qatari diplomat who has served as his country’s Permanent Representative to the UN for more than a decade was Wednesday, June 23, chosen by the world body’s 192 Member States to be the next President of the General Assembly, AFP reported. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, 57, who was elected this afternoon by acclamation, will succeed Joseph Deiss of Switzerland when he takes over the presidency in mid-September as the 66th session of the General Assembly begins. Accepting the post with great honor, Al-Nasser said he is becoming President at a time when the world is facing enormous political, social, economic and environmental challenges. “Not a month goes by that we do not hear about a natural or a man -made disaster and the subsequent food, security, health and education crises that follow inevitably. At the same time, there are still people who are living under occupation and oppression, who are yearning for freedom and dignity,” he added. The President-elect has proposed that the role of mediation in the settlement of disputes by peaceful means serve as the theme for the high-level debate slated to be held at the opening of the Assembly’s next session. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Armenia, Turkey discuss restoration of historic bridge The meeting took place on May 17 in Ashgabat on the sidelines of an international conference of ministers of culture. India wants Armenia’s proposals on use of Chabahar port India is expecting proposals from Armenia regarding the use of Chabahar port in Iran, Indian ambassador says. EU welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan “progress” The EU has welcomed “progress” made in the framework of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation process. Belarus opposition leader slams Lukashenko for Karabakh trip Belarusian opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has harshly criticized the visit of Lukashenko to Karabakh. |