UN Resolution reflects support for Palestinian right

The approval by the UN General Assembly of two resolutions calling for a mechanism for sending observers to the Palestinian territories and criticizing Israel in the conflict with the Palestinians, shows that the international community realizes the necessity of supporting Palestinian rights and preserving the central role of the Palestinian Authority.

This came in Egypt's statement before the UNGA, which was presented Thursday by its permanent representative at the UN Ahmed Abul Gheit.

"Such a stance restores the UN role in dealing with the situation after the UN Security Council failed to adopt the same resolution due to a US veto," Ambassador Abul Gheit said.

The first resolution condemned "all acts of terror, particularly those targeting civilians, all acts of extra judiciary executions, excessive use of force and wide destruction of property.

It called for the implementation of the Mitchell report and the establishment of a "monitoring mechanism" to help both sides in the conflict and "to help create a better situation in the occupied Palestinian territories."

The solution called for a ceasefire and a period of cool off between the two sides before peace talks can begin.

The second resolution dealt with obligations by signatories of the 1949 Geneva Convention to the occupied territories, which calls for the protection of civilians in time of war.

Israel is one of the signatories. The resolution criticized Israel or its "illegal actions aimed at altering the status of Jerusalem and its demographic composition.