Kabila became Congo's leader in 2001 after the assassination of his father and by law could not run again after his mandate ended in December 2016. But he has remained in office because of delays in holding elections, which sparked deadly protests.
He told the annual gathering of world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday that "everything will be implemented to guarantee the peaceful and credible nature of these elections "
Kabila warned that the United Nations will not be "an organization for all if the intrusive interference of some governments in matters undoubtedly in the domestic policy of the states" continues. He did not name any countries.
He also called for an "effective and substantial" start to the withdrawal of the U.N. peacekeeping force in Congo.
___
4:40 p.m.
Germany and Saudi Arabia have agreed to patch up their strained diplomatic ties, after Berlin's top diplomat expressed regret for recent "misunderstandings" that angered the kingdom.
Saudi Arabia pulled its ambassador from Germany last year after then German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel suggested Riyadh was engaging in "political adventurism" in the Middle East.
Current Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told reporters Tuesday that "our relations have witnessed misunderstandings which stands in sharp contrast to our otherwise strong and strategic ties with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We sincerely regret this."
Speaking after the two met on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, his Saudi counterpart Adel al-Jubeir responded by inviting Maas to visit the kingdom "at the earliest opportunity so that we may begin a new phase of close cooperation."
___
5:10 p.m.
Smirks and smiles, but no signs of shock: German diplomats appeared bemused by President Donald Trump's latest swipe at their country.
In a wide-ranging speech Tuesday to the United Nations General Assembly, Trump took time to reiterate his criticism of Germany's planned undersea gas pipeline from Russia.
After the U.S. president's warning that "Germany will become totally dependent on Russian energy if it does not immediately change course," cameras showed German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas gently shaking his head, while senior diplomats smiled.