UN Security Council to hold first coronavirus meeting

New York

The UN Security Council will hold a session on the novel coronavirus on Thursday, marking their first meeting on how the pandemic could affect international security.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will brief the 15 members in a closed-door virtual meeting, the council's current president, the Dominican Republic, announced on Monday evening, Deutsche press agency (dpa) reported.

Germany and eight other elected council members requested the meeting, according to information seen by dpa.

Diplomats said China in particular seemed to be sceptical about a meeting, citing fears that countries might point fingers at Beijing.