Mediterranean forum condemns Israel's excessive use of force against Palestinian civilians

The foreign ministers of the member countries of the Mediterranean forum, convened here May 10-11 have condemned the excessive use of military force by Israel against Palestinian civilians.

Participants in the forum have also strongly denounced the Israeli policy of closure of Palestinian territories and the continuation of the construction of settlements, said a final communiqu? that was read out at a news conference here by Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, at the end of the forum 8th session.

The forum, set up in 1994 by Algeria, Egypt, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Tunisia and Turkey, is an informal forum for consultation and dialogue between these Mediterranean countries.

Benaissa said the participants have debated only of this issue during the work dinner, held Thursday evening and have voiced deep worry over the deteriorating situation in the region. They pointed out that a lasting, comprehensive peace in the region can only be secured on the basis of the principles of the Madrid Conference, including the land-for-peace principle, the Oslo accords, the arrangements of Sharm Al-Sheikh summit and relevant Security council resolutions.

The communique recalls that Morocco, in its quality as chairman of the Forum, has received a message from President of Palestine, Yasser Arafat, expounding the latest painful developments in the region and mainly in Ghaza.