Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has left for New York on Thursday to participate in the 66th Session of the UN General assembly, after an overnight stay in Frankfurt. AIR correspondent covering the Prime ministers visit reports, Dr. Singh has set the tone for UN deliberations calling upon all countries to collectively address the multiple challenges the world is facing today.

The Prime minister said, these challenges include the global economic slowdown, terrorism and unrest in West Asia and North Africa. Dr. Singh also pointed out that the Palestine question remains unresolved. India has already expressed its support for the Palestinian bid for UN membership.

On the sidelines of the UN Session Prime minister Manmohan Singh will hold bilateral meetings with the Presidents of Iran, South Sudan and Sri Lanka, and also the Prime ministers of Japan and Nepal.

AIR correspondent covering the UN Session that began in New York on Wednesday reports, that the Palestine issue emerged as the focus of the deliberations on the first day itself.