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David Jones/PA Wire/Press Association Images
United Nations
UN Arms Trade Treaty discussions delayed
The conference was set to run until 27 July, but has been delayed due to questions over Palestine having observer status.
A UNITED NATIONS conference on the Arms Trade Treaty has been delayed, according to the latest reports.
The conference was due to begin yesterday, but due to delays will now start today, the BBC says.
There were some objections to different elements of the treaty talks, including one over the Palestinian delegation being given observer status, said AFP, which reportedly came from the Egyptian delegation.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon was due to make an opening speech, but this was called off.
There are delegates from 193 countries taking part in the New York-based conference.
The negotiations are centred on drafting a treaty to minimise the affect of armed conflict on people worldwide.
According to the UN, the arms industry is worth up to $70 billion per year but the annual global burden of armed violence has reached $400 billion.
Over 750,000 deaths are caused by arms-related incidents each year and illegal trading also impacts food security and displacement.
The treaty could come into force in late 2013 if the talks progress as expected.
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