UNITED NATIONS, Sept 11: Amidst heavy security the 57th annual session of the UN General Assembly opened on Tuesday.

At the session world leaders will debate the impact of the Sept 11 attacks on the international community, the “war against terrorism” and the Iraq issue.

The UNGA went into session two weeks ahead of schedule to allow world leaders to attend ceremonies marking the first anniversary of the attacks in New York and Washington.

When US President George Bush addresses the General Assembly on Thursday, he is expected to present Washington’s case for military action to oust Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

Most governments, including America’s closest allies, have expressed opposition to any pre-emptive strike against Iraq before obtaining an approval from the UN Security Council.

On Wednesday most of the Latin American leaders and Afghan President Hamid Karzai joined other leaders in cautioning the US against any action on Iraq without the support of the world community.

Kofi Annan, UN Secretary General, asserted that the issue should not be decided unilaterally, but be taken up by the UN Security Council.

The 15-member UN Security Council is scheduled to meet to reaffirm its commitment to the “fight against terrorism”.