From the plenary of the UN General Assembly, Mr. Joe Bidenfor the last time as US president, he appealed to citizens around the world not to despair as wars ravage the world, saying there is a way forward.
The 81-year-old US president recalled how Israel and Egypt were at war when he entered politics five decades ago. “Israel and Egypt started a war, but then forged a historic peace,” he said.Things can get better. We must never forget that. I have seen that throughout my career,” he said.
“I know many people look at the world today and see hardship and react with despair, but I don’t, I won’t. As leaders, we don’t have that luxury. I recognize the challenges in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan and elsewhere.”
He called for a ceasefire agreement in Gaza
Speaking on a wide range of issues, the US president called on Israel and Hamas to reach a ceasefire and a deal to free hostages, a deal brokered by the US, Egypt and Qatar.
Opening the Middle East portion of his speech, Biden declared that “the world should not be intimidated by horror of october 7th Any country will have the right, the responsibility, to ensure that such an attack never happens again.”
“Thousands of Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists invaded a sovereign state, slaughtering over 1,200 people, including 46 Americans, in their homes and at a music festival. Intentional acts of sexual violence. Two hundred and fifty innocent hostages. I have met with the families of these hostages. I have cried with them. They are living in hell,” he said.
“Innocent citizens in Gaza are living in hell”
Referring to the plight of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, Biden continued: “Innocent citizens in Gaza are also living in hell. Thousands and thousands of civilians, including aid workers, many displaced families, huddled in tents, facing a dire humanitarian situation. They didn’t ask for this war that Hamas started.”
Talking about her Russian invasion of Ukraine, Biden said Russian President Vladimir Putin had failed in his invasion of Ukraine and urged the United Nations to maintain its support for Kiev until it wins the war.
“The good news is that Putin’s war has not achieved its primary goal. (Putin) wanted to destroy Ukraine, but Ukraine is still free. (Putin) wanted to weaken NATO, but NATO is bigger, stronger and more united than ever before,” the White House occupant stressed.
Sources: AMPE, Reuters, AFP