Carney gives themes of Obama's U.N. speech

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WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- President Obama will tell world leaders the United States "will never retreat from the world" when he speaks at the U.N. General Assembly, the White House said.

Obama will offer context to the international situation and put forward a vision of U.S. leadership, spokesman Jay Carney said Monday during the media briefing.

Obama speaks Tuesday at the opening of the 67th session of the U.N. General Assembly.

"He will also send a clear message that the United States will never retreat from the world," Carney said. "The United States will bring justice to those who harm Americans and the United States will stand strongly for our democratic values abroad."

He said he expected Obama to address the recent unrest in the Muslim world over a U.S.-made anti-Islam video, and "the broader context of democratic transitions in the Arab world."

Concerning Iran, "we have consistently framed that issue around Iran's profound failure to meet its international obligations with respect to its nuclear programs," Carney said. "Therefore, the United Nations General Assembly presents ... another opportunity for him to underscore that Iran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon."

Obama looks forward to addressing the General Assembly, Carney said.

"It's a real moment for the United States to assert its values and its leadership role to make clear where we stand in the midst of this remarkable period of transformation in the Arab world," the spokesman said, "[and] how U.S. leadership, combined with the leadership of other nations, is helping the peoples of that region overcome decades of tyranny and move towards democratic forms of government that are more responsive to their aspirations, that respect the rights of women and minorities."

Carney said no sideline bilateral meetings were scheduled.