UN condemns Israel over exhausting occupied land sources

A UN economic and environment committee late Saturday demanded Israel to stop exploiting and tampering with the natural resources of the Arab territories, including Jerusalem, it is occupying.

A resolution adopted by the committee emphasized the Palestinian people's sovereignty over the occupied land, including Jerusalem.

The resolution was submitted to the panel by Egypt and a number of other Arab countries, in addition to Indonesia, Malaysia, Malta and Brunei.

"The vast majority who voted for the resolution sent a clear cut message to Israel stressing the necessity of continuing the Middle East peace process to reach its ultimate objective of establishing a comprehensive and fair peace based on international legitimacy, the security council resolutions, the land-for-peace principle and the right of the Palestinian people to have sovereignty over their natural resources," said Ahmed Abul Gheit, the Chief Egyptian delegate to the UN.

The resolution was adopted by a majority of 131 votes,with only Israel and the US objecting,and three abstentions.