World leaders are converging on the city for the 63rd meeting of the United Nations General Assembly, resulting in major street closings and detours on Manhattan's East Side.

Nearly 200 world leaders will attend the General Assembly, including President George W. Bush, who is making his farewell address to the international body.

Bush is expected to push for multilateral diplomacy.

Both the president and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad are scheduled to address the U.N. tomorrow.

Ahmadinejad, who is speaking with the secretary general tonight, returns to the city for the first time since a controversial appearance at Columbia University last year.

Hundreds gathered in a plaze across from the U.N. this afternoon to protest his appearance and Iran's human rights record.

"I'm here today to protest the U.N. allowing this criminal, this snake to come here, to enjoy freedom of speech," said State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, "when he will not provide that to people in his own country."

"He doesn't deserve to be here and he doesn't deserve the ability to have anyone give him any audience at the United Nations," said another protester.

Along with dignitaries and the protests, the General Assembly is also bringing traffic to the area. Drivers and residents NY1 spoke with had mixed reactions to the congestion the event brings to the area.

"Last year it was easier," said one driver. "I remember last year it took me like 20 minutes actually to go through."

"This is kind of abnormal," said another. "I don't know if they have different procedures this year, but usually it's much quicker than this."

"Oh, it's very annoying. Clearly it's overdone," said a third. "You know, we like the U.N. being here, but it's way beyond what it should be."

"It's always chaos, but it's kind of fun, too," said yet another. "All these dignitaries are here and you never know who you're going to see."

As always, it's best to use the subway. But, for those driving, the following street closures are in effect:

• First Avenue is closed from 42nd to 48th Streets.

• The tunnel underpass from 41st to 48th Streets will be open to passenger cars only

• The FDR Drive is subject to intermittent closures.
44th, 45th and 46th Streets are closed from First to Second Avenue.

• Through this evening, 45th Street is closed between Lexington and Madison

• 46th is closed between Madison and Park

• Vanderbilt is closed between 44th and 46th Streets

• 49th and 50th Streets are closed between Lexington and Park through midnight Thursday

• Trucks and other large vehicles will not be allowed to use Park or Lexington between 48th and 52nd Streets