New York, April 17 -- Vietnam has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, protection of maritime security, and the promotion of dialogue to resolve escalating tensions in the Middle East, stressing the need for a unified and effective international response. The appeal was made at a plenary meeting of the United Nations General Assembly held on April 16 at the UN Headquarters in New York, following the failure of the UN Security Council to adopt a draft resolution on safeguarding maritime security and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz on April 7.

The meeting drew broad participation from UN member states, with most of the 66 speakers expressing deep concern over the prolonged conflict in the Middle East and rising tensions ...