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UNITED NATIONS (CNN) - A rare meeting of U.N. Security Council heads of state, led for the first time by a U.S. president, adopted a resolution Thursday focused on stopping the spread of nuclear weapons.

President Obama challenged the gathering, which included leaders of nuclear powers including Russia, China, Great Britain and France, to overcome cynicism against the goal of ridding the planet of nuclear arms.

"We harbor no illusions about the difficulty of bringing about a world without nuclear weapons," Obama said, adding that Thursday's meeting signaled a significant step forward in cooperative global action.

The resolution, which was adopted unanimously, calls for tighter controls on nuclear materials to prevent them from being stolen or used for military purposes. It also encourages enforcement of international treaties and U.N. resolutions regarding nuclear non-proliferation, particularly when nations such as Iran and North Korea are in violation.

"The world must stand together," Obama said. "We must demonstrate that international law is not an empty promise."

It was the first Security Council summit chaired by a U.S. president, and only the fifth time that Security Council heads of state have met. Obama led the meeting because the United States holds the revolving presidency of the Security Council in September.

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UNITED NATIONS (CNN) – President Barack Obama made a strong call Wednesday for renewed efforts to reach a Middle East agreement that creates a secure Israel and an independent Palestinian state.

"The time has come to re-launch negotiations - without preconditions - that address the permanent-status issues: security for Israelis and
Palestinians; borders, refugees and Jerusalem," Obama said in his first speech as president to the U.N. General Assembly.

"The goal is clear: two states living side by side in peace and security - a Jewish State of Israel, with true security for all Israelis; and a viable, independent Palestinian state with contiguous territory that ends the occupation that began in 1967, and realizes the potential of the Palestinian people."

His statement prompted applause, and Obama received an ovation when he later stated: "The United States does Israel no favors when we fail to couple
an unwavering commitment to its security with an insistence that Israel respect the legitimate claims and rights of the Palestinians.

"And nations within this body do the Palestinians no favors when they choose vitriolic attacks against Israel over a constructive willingness to recognize Israel's legitimacy, and its right to exist in peace and security."

UNITED NATIONS (CNN) – President Barack Obama said Wednesday that Iran and North Korea "must be held accountable" if they continue to ignore international nuclear weapons treaties.

"If the governments of Iran and North Korea choose to ignore international standards; if they put the pursuit of nuclear weapons ahead of
regional stability and the security and opportunity of their own people; if they are oblivious to the dangers of escalating nuclear arms races in both East Asia and the Middle East - then they must be held accountable," Obama said in his first speech as president to the U.N. General Assembly.

"The world must stand together to demonstrate that international law is not an empty promise, and that treaties will be enforced," he continued. "We must insist that the future not belong to fear."

UNITED NATIONS (CNN) - President Barack Obama made clear Tuesday that the United States expects China to take significant steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change and develop clean energy sources.

In remarks to a U.N. summit on climate change, Obama said "rapidly-growing developing nations that will produce nearly all the growth in
global carbon emissions in the decades ahead must do their part as well."

China and the United States are the world's two biggest emitters of greenhouse gases. While Obama didn't specify China, his comment appeared focused on the role of the world's major growing economy in the climate change debate.

"Some of these nations have already made great strides with the development and deployment of clean energy," Obama said. "Still, they need to commit to strong measures at home and agree to stand behind those commitments just as the developed nations must stand behind their own. We cannot meet this challenge unless all the largest emitters of greenhouse gas pollution act together. There's no other way."

NEW YORK (CNN) – New York Senator Chuck Schumer appealed to the United Nations Saturday to condemn Libya's joyful welcome home for the Lockerbie bomber.

Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi, the man responsible for the Pan Am bombing over Lockerbie, Scotland was granted a "compassionate release" by Scottish officials Thursday after doctors said he was dying from terminal prostate cancer.

Megrahi, 57, boarded a jet in route to his native Libya where he was greeted with a hero's welcome shocking the world.

"If Libya wants to be embraced by the international community, embracing convicted terrorists is not the way to do it," Schumer said. "It's clear that the Libyan government's love affair with terrorism hasn't ended yet."

At a news conference, Schumer said he is asking U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice to introduce a resolution denouncing Libya's over zealous heroes welcome and wants an apology.

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UNITED NATIONS (CNN) - U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday officially named former U.S. President Bill Clinton as special envoy to Haiti.

The position calls for Clinton to work to create jobs and access to basic services for the people of Haiti.

"All I want to do is help the Haitians take over control of their own destiny," Clinton said.

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UNITED NATIONS (CNN) – Former President Bill Clinton has been named U.N. special envoy to Haiti, the United Nations said on Tuesday.

"I am confident that President Clinton will bring energy, dynamism and focus to the task of mobilizing international support for Haiti's economic recovery and reconstruction," U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said.

The United Nations said that Clinton will help Haitian authorities "jump-start sustainable social and economic development."

"He will focus attention on the importance of new partnerships and efforts among the private sector, civil society, and donors, as well as strengthen local capacity, and create a more stable and prosperous future for the children of Haiti."

During his presidency, Clinton had been engaged in helping the impoverished Caribbean nation rebuild. Haiti, which the United Nations says is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, has been badly hit by rising food and oil prices, devastating storms, and ongoing political instability.

UNITED NATIONS (CNN) - Former U.S. President Bill Clinton has been tapped as a United Nations special envoy to Haiti, U.N. officials confirmed on Monday.

An official announcement will be made Tuesday on the selection of the two-term president, officials said.

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UNITED NATIONS (CNN) – The U.N. Security Council Monday adopted a declaration condemning North Korea for launching a rocket earlier this month.