Arab states call for specific definition for terrorism

The Arab states stressed in New York Thursday the importance of setting up a clear definition for terrorism, asserting at the same time the danger posed by the state terrorism carried out by Israel against the Palestinians.

This came during a detailed Security Council meeting to discuss the issue of terrorism in continuation of the council's gathering last January 20, held at the level of foreign ministers during which a number of non-member states had spoken.

Bahrain's permanent representative to the United Nations, Tawfeeq Al-Mansour, was quoted by Kuwait news agency as saying it was important to set up a clear definition and the significance to separate between struggle and terrorist operations, recalling what had taken place in the Balkans and inside the occupied Arab lands.

He added that Israel still insists not to implement the international resolutions and objects to peaceful talks that could simplify reaching a peaceful settlement in the area.

On his part, Egyptian permanent representative to the U.N. Ahmad Abu Al-Ghait said his country supports the holding of an international conference on terrorism and the set up of a definition to it.

He expressed his country's support to all bids calling to encourage religious and civilized dialogue among nations and cultures, proposing that the United Nations adopts such dialogues as it represents the entire countries.

For his part, Yemen's representative Abdel Dayem Mubarez stressed the importance of separating between terrorism and the right of peoples to resist occupation.

He said that there are a number of activities that call for accusing Islam and Muslims of terrorism, calling for staying away from the double standard policy and selectivity in implementing the international resolutions.