In his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday, Icelandic Minister for Foreign Affairs Össur Skarphéðinsson criticized the Security Council for being "arcane" and "out-of-tune."

Össur Skarphéðinsson. Photo by Páll Stefánsson.

"The truth is the Security Council has become an obstacle to international efforts to address and solve situations such as Syria," the minister said, emphasizing his view that it must be reformed.

Össur urged the international community to unite in its opposition of violence and terrorism and ensure that atrocities on both side are made to take responsibility for their actions.

The minister also highlighted the "deplorable living conditions" in Palestine and reiterates Iceland's support for a two-state solution.

Further, Össur spoke on the issue of Iran, urging Israel and Iran to work towards a diplomatic solution to their disputes.

Iceland's geothermal program in the East African Rift Valley, which works to identify, research and prepare geothermal resources for utilization, was also brought up as a move against the impacts of climate change.

ZR