UN Evacuated Over 'Suspicious Odor'

The UN Security Council and General Assembly were evacuated Tuesday because of a "suspicious odor," according to a UN spokesman.Local authorities were called and will be investigating the source of the odor. Diplomats have been told to leave the area as a precaution.

Diplomats also said there was a suspected gas leak in the basement of the UN headquarters, but that ambassadors and other top officials had been moved as a precaution.

The alarm was raised just before the scheduled start of a special Security Council debate at which children from around the world were to air their concerns to world powers.

The children were all moved to the US mission across the street from the UN headquarters.