Cameron speech aims to rally UN

22 September 2011 Last updated at 14:06 ET

The international community must “grab this moment and take advantage” of the spread of democracy in the Arab Spring, David Cameron will tell the UN.

The UK prime minister is making his first speech to the United Nations General Assembly.

Earlier, he said his speech would say democracy can “help make us safe by providing a realistic alternative to the poisonous rhetoric” of terrorists.

Mr Cameron has had talks with President Barack Obama during his US visit.

Speaking in New York on Thursday ahead of his address, Mr Cameron said he would tell the United Nations this was a “great opportunity”.

“So the world institutions have got to grab this moment and take advantage of it.”

He said: “It’s a call to make sure that as well as signing declarations and resolutions we actually show political will and get things done.

“I think this is the lesson of Libya: yes, we had the UN backing, but countries were prepared to come together and act and, as a result, we see a country that’s moving towards freedom.”

As he met Mr Obama at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York earlier, Mr Cameron said that Libya was moving to a “good conclusion” after the ousting of Col Gaddafi.

He added that the UK and US were working closely together on Afghanistan and the Middle East peace process, and said the transatlantic relationship was as “strong as it’s ever been”.

The US president called it an “extraordinarily special relationship”, adding: “I am very fortunate that over the last year or two David and I have been able to, I think, establish an excellent friendship as well.”

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