UN to adopt resolution on Gaza conflict

[bemildred]

PETALING JAYA: The United Nations General Assembly’s emergency special session on illegal Israeli actions in Gaza entered its second day with a resolution on the issue expected to be adopted.

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“The Security Council which is entrusted to maintain peace and security, seems to be in a trance as to the next course of action to take towards ensuring the implementation of its resolution.

“Increasing civilian casualties bears testimony to the atrocities committed by Israeli forces. It reminds us of similar atrocities committed onto a group of people in recent history.

“The world’s reaction to these atrocities was resolute then, and it should similarly be resolute now,” he added.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/1/17/nation/3049431&sec=nation

[bemildred]

1. US urges General Assembly not to undermine Gaza truce bid

UNITED NATIONS (AFP) — The United States on Friday urged the UN General Assembly not to undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts to arrange a ceasefire in the strife-ridden Gaza Strip.

"The Assembly must be careful not to complicate efforts to seek a solution or undermine ongoing diplomatic activity to halt the violence in Gaza," US deputy ambassador Alejandro Wolff told an emergency session of the 192-member body.

He warned against letting the session turned into "a platform for vituperative criticism just as every effort is being made to find a mechanism to bring the conflict to a halt."

He spoke as the assembly was weighing a draft resolution demanding full respect of the truce call made by the UN Security Council last week but ignored by both Israel and Gaza's ruling Hamas Islamist movement.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iQRB8nZnVclQPNG2QN8ztVmbCokQ