Iraqi President Jalal Talabani has urged Turkey and Iran to stop bombing northern Iraq's Kurdistan region, where suspected Kurdish rebels are operating.

In comments Friday to the United Nations General Assembly, Mr. Talabani said the bombing is victimizing many civilians. He called on Turkey and Iran to use diplomacy and dialogue to ease tensions with Kurdish rebels.

Mr. Talabani also invited other nations to invest in Iraq, saying the country is restoring its strength after decades of internal and external war, and international sanctions. He said Iraq is working on legislation to protect investors and their capital.

Friday marks the third day of debate at the U.N. General Assembly. General debate continues on Saturday and Monday through Friday of next week.

On Thursday, in one of the most controversial of the speeches, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad harshly criticized the United States, Israel and the West, accusing them of provoking wars, causing worldwide recession, and spreading “totalitarianism.”

His statements provoked a walkout by delegations from the United States, France and more than two dozen other nations. The speech came after several hundred protesters rallied outside the United Nations, voicing their displeasure at Mr. Ahmadinejad's presence at the General Assembly.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged world leaders to put pressure on Israel to achieve peace with the Palestinians, and to not allow Israel to act above the law.