UN headquarters in New York was cordoned off for several hours on Thursday after an armed man was seen outside, AFP reported quoting an official.

“The UN headquarters is closed, there is police activity,” a UN spokesman told AFP. 

The man, who appeared to be in his 60s, was first spotted around 10:30 a.m. on the east side of 42nd Street and 1st Avenue, just outside the UN’s Manhattan headquarters. 

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A police spokesperson told Associated Press that hostage negotiators were speaking with the man hoped to resolve the situation peacefully. There was no threat to the public. 

“Due to a police investigation, avoid the area of 42 Street and 1st Avenue. Expect emergency vehicles in the surrounding area,” the New York police department said on Twitter.

According to reports, UN Security has requested all personnel and delegates at UN headquarters to shelter in place. The U.N. General Assembly and Security Council were both in session on Thursday.

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Meanwhile, a video doing the rounds on social media shows a  man pacing in front of a gate to the UN complex carrying an object, which police said was a shotgun. The gates were closed and the person didn’t appear to be trying to breach the security perimeter. Police can be seen surrounding the man. 

Thursday’s incident comes two months after an area near the UN headquarters was cordoned off over a suspicious package that was placed in front of the Turkevi (Turkish House) in New York City.