Iran's Rouhani at U.N. calls on rival Saudi to cease 'division' in region

President Hassan Rouhani of Iran addresses the 71st United Nations General Assembly in Manhattan, New York, U.S. September 22, 2016. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Thursday called on Iran's regional rival Saudi Arabia to "cease and desist" from division if Riyadh was serious about regional peace and security.

"If the Saudi government is serious about its vision for development and regional security, it must cease and desist from divisive policies, spread of hate ideology and trampling upon the rights of neighbours," Rouhani told the United Nations General Assembly.