Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis on Thursday called for a stronger role of the UN in managing, resolving and preventing conflicts, the Athens News Agency reported.

Speaking at the UN Security Council meeting at the UN headquarters in New York, Karamanlis said that in addition to preventing conflict in the world, the UN should also adopt comprehensive and long-term strategies that will deal with the root cause of the problems before they result in conflict and war.

He reiterated that Greece firmly supports the creation of a peace-building committee and the adoption of a UN resolution aimed at preventing conflict in Africa, the continent devastated most by strife and war.

Karamanlis said that virtuous governance, a just state, solid democratic institutions, respect of human rights, development aid, reform and democratization of the security sector are the key elements in addressing existing conflicts.

On the fight against terrorism, the Greek premier said human rights and basic civil liberties cannot be undermined in the process.

Karamanlis stressed that poverty, epidemics, environmental pollution, weapons of mass destruction, and organized crime are emerging as a new threat to world peace and security.

"These demand a stronger UN and comprehensive strategies," he said.

He called on regional organizations to operate effectively and emphasized the need for international treaties to be respected.

The premier had the opportunity to attend the meeting as Greece is a non-permanent Security Council member for the period 2005-2006.

(Xinhua News Agency September 15, 2005)