President Barack Obama will be the first sitting American president to chair the United Nations Security Council.

The U.S. currently holds the month-long rotating presidency for the group of 15 nations.
   
The Financial Times reports Obama will preside over a summit at the end of the month about nuclear weapons disarmament.

"The council has a very important role to play in preventing the spread and use of nuclear weapons, and it's the world's principal body for dealing with global security co-operation," Susan Rice, U.S. envoy to the UN, said last week.
    
Administration officials are worried Libya's Muammar Gaddafi may "try to steal the limelight" on his first visit to New York.
    
The Financial Times also reports the two leaders may cross paths.  Gaddafi and Obama are set to address the General Assembly on the same day.

*Originally published September 9, 2009