Russia’s permanent representative to UN calls for an end to "arms race"

Russia’s permanent representative to the UN Vassily Nebenzya called for an end to what he described as "the arms race and weapon display."

"The Russian concept of security in the Persian Gulf is an invitation to dialogue," he said.

In a clear jab at the U.S., he added: "This is an invitation to peace, in counterbalance to an invitation to war," Arab News reported.

Nebenzya evoked the memory of Martin Luther King, highlighting "a quote which apparently (the Americans) do not like: "A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom."

Speaking on the day of the annual U.S. commemoration of the life and achievements of Martin Luther King, political coordinator for the U.S. mission to the UN Rodney Hunter quoted the renowned civil rights leader, saying: "Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that."