UNITED NATIONS, Sept 18: With Iran, Darfur, Middle East and the global war on terrorism dominating the international discourse, over 100 world leaders are coming to New York to address the UN General Assembly when it opens on Tuesday.

US President Bush, the second speaker at the 61st General Assembly session, has been challenged by Iranian Presidednt Mohammed Ahmedinejad to debate with him on Tehran’s nuclear programme. But Mr Ahmedinejad will not get the opportunity to do so as the Americans have rejected the idea. The Iranian president, who will speak late in the day, will not cross paths with Mr Bush but he will be seated across the table during UN Secretary- General Kofi Annan’s lunch for the visiting dignitaries.

The implementation of resolution 1701 on the Israel-Lebanese war would also figure prominently in talks and debate.

The UN Security Council will hold a meeting on Middle East with the aim to revive the Quartet’s roadmap.

President Pervez Musharraf will be the fifth speaker. Brazil will open the debate, followed by the US, Finland, South Africa and France.

Mr Musharraf is believed to have re-drafted the prepared speech after his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in which the two countries agreed to resume their composite dialogue.

President Musharraf will be one of the most watched and scrutinised head of state this year since Pakistan has assumed a new status of “front-line” state on global war against terrorism after the resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan.

President Musharraf will also hold bilateral meetings with several world leaders including President Ahmedinejad of Iran.

President Bush will focus on strengthening democracies in the Middle East, where sectarian violence in Iraq and Iran’s nuclear ambitions have created international concerns.