The first day of the annual UN General Assembly session in New York was marked by heightened security, long lines at the organization's headquarters, and traffic restrictions, AP reports.

Additional confusion arose after a suspicious package was reported, which later turned out to be harmless.

For the first time, apparently due to increased security threats, UN staff and low-ranking diplomats were required to undergo personal inspections when entering the UN headquarters. Meanwhile, only two scanners were working at the staff entrance, which was used by hundreds of people between 8am and 9am local time.

This led to significant delays. Some staff and diplomats trying to enter the building at the beginning of the sessions had to wait in long lines.

At the same time, traffic around the UN headquarters was severely restricted due to the motorcades of presidents, prime ministers, and monarchs attending the session. They were given priority on adjacent streets, which periodically led to a complete standstill of traffic.

At about 3pm local time on Tuesday, law enforcement agencies received a report about a suspicious package near East 43rd Street and Third Avenue. Sapper and other police units arrived at the scene.

Later, however, it turned out that the object found did not pose a threat. But its inspection and street closure further complicated traffic on the first day of the world leaders' meeting in Manhattan.