Austria foreign minister delivers UN speech in 'beautiful' Arabic language

Austria's foreign minister has delivered a speech at the UN General Assembly in Arabic and praised the language for its beauty and history, the UN's news agency reported.

Karin Kneissl on Saturday started her remarks on Saturday in Arabic before she switched to French, Spanish and English, thanking interpreters for their "patience and indulgence".

"Arabic is a beautiful and important language and part of the Arab and ancient civilization," Kneissl said.

"I also studied in Lebanon during the years of war. I learned how people continued with their lives despite all odds and difficulties. This is the secret of life,"

Arabic is one of the six official languages of the United Nations.

Kneissl also touched on issues including global warming, gender equality, the future of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and how to move from a "military situation to a diplomatic transition" in war-torn Syria.

The foreign minister's Arabic remarks have been widely covered in pan-Arab media and hailed on social media.

Some Twitter users, however, stressed that Kneissl has made controversial statements about migrants and the Islamic face veil (niqab).

Austria's conservative-far right government has banned the wearing of the full Islamic veil and taken hardline positions on migration and asylum policy.