Serbia's president told the U.N. Security Council that Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence is illegal and violates Serbia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. But despite his demands that the council reject Kosovo's independence, several members expressed their support for the new state. From United Nations headquarters in New York, VOA's Margaret Besheer has more.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) will continue to administer Kosovo in accordance with a mandate authorized by Security Council resolution 1244.

The United Nations' envoy to Burma has met with officials in China as he begins a new round of talks in Asia focused on promoting political reform in military-ruled Burma.

The United Nations has appealed for $265 million in humanitarian aid for Iraqis this year.

Thailand's new prime minister, Samak Sundarawej, says the United Nations should step up contacts with Burma's military leaders. The Thai leader said the U.N. Secretary-General should visit Rangoon and use Thailand as a base for possible negotiations on political reform. VOA's Luis Ramirez reports from Bangkok.

In a bid to build on the momentum generated by last December’s landmark United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali, Indonesia, the General Assembly will host a two-day debate on the crucial issue next week in New York.

The U.N. refugee agency reports about 20,000 civilians have fled fighting in N'Djamena, the capital of Chad, and crossed the river into the Cameroon border town of Kousseri. Lisa Schlein reports for VOA from UNHCR headquarters in Geneva.

The United Nations' point man on climate change policy is in New Delhi where he is hoping to get India to clarify what it will do to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Steve Herman reports from New Delhi.

Former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan's choice to lead mediation efforts in Kenya has withdrawn from the process, after the government suggested he was biased in favor of the opposition.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today voiced deep concern at the deteriorating security situation inside Chad, where fierce fighting has resumed between Government forces and opposition groups, and called on the parties to settle their differences peacefully.

A U.N. committee on women's rights claimed that polygamy in Saudi Arabia ran counter to the principle of equality between the sexes. The committee asked Saudi Arabia to end this practice.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon touched down in Kenya on Friday for talks with Kenya's opposition leader in a bid to keep the country's post-election chaos from descending into a wider ethnic war. At least four more people were killed by police during ongoing protests. Nick Wadhams has the story from Nairobi.