US President Joe Biden made a case for democracy while addressing the UN General Assembly for the final time, saying "Some things are more important than staying in power."
“My fellow leaders, let us never forget some things are more important than staying in power. It’s your people that matter the most,” Biden told United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday.
The speech comes at a time when the crisis in the Middle East has escalated with Israel increasing its attack on the Lebanon front.
Biden lamented the death toll and pain felt by innocent civilians on both sides of the Israel-Gaza war saying, "they are going through hell."
“I’ve met with the families of those hostages. I’ve grieved with them,” Biden said, adding “They’re going through hell.”
"Innocent civilians in Gaza are also going through hell. Thousands and thousands killed, including aid workers. Too many families dislocated, crowding in the tents, facing a dire humanitarian situation," he added, according to CNN.
He said that now is the time for the two parties to finalise the terms, bring the hostages home, ensure security for Israel and free Gaza of Hamas.
Biden's remark in the UN General Assembly was the first speech since the Israel-Gaza War began in October last year, leading to thousands of Palestinians killed in the conflict.
Biden reiterated a two-state solution for the resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict.
"(We) must also address the rise of violence against innocent Palestinians on the West Bank and set the conditions for a better future, including a two-state solution,” he said.
Speaking of the Ukraine crisis, Biden vowed to support Kyiv until victory in its war against Russia.
"The good news is, Putin’s war has failed, and as has his core aim. He set out to destroy Ukraine, but Ukraine is still free. He set out to weaken NATO, but NATO is bigger, stronger, more united than ever before, with two new members, Finland and Sweden," Biden added.