Not surprisingly, he opened his remarks with a critique of the world body, and a boast.

UN correspondent Margaret Besheer said the President told members he saw potential in the UN's New York position, and that's why he built a building across the street from it.

But she told Rachel Smalley his speech took a serious turn, indicating Mr Trump's stance toward the UN.

"He said the UN has potential, that it needs to live up to it, tht it needs to cut the bureaucracy so that it is fit for purpose."

The US president has called for major reforms to the organisation during his first speech at the UN headquarters in New York.

"Take bold stands at the the united Nations changing business as usual and not being beholden to ways of the past which were not working."

Trump said it is not fair the US pays almost a third of the UN's overall peacekeeping bill.

He has also called for harder lines to be taken against North Korea and Iran.

The US President is due to address the UN General Assembly later today.

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