Egypt: UNGA resolution sends warning to Israel

Egypt on Wednesday welcomed the UN General Assembly resolution demanding Israel to stop building its separation wall and pull down the parts of the wall that it has already set up in the occupied Palestinian territory.

The resolution, taken by the Assembly at dawn yesterday, sends a warning to Israel, Egypt's permanent delegate to the United Nations Ahmed Abul Gheit said.

It was great especially as it followed last weeks' failure by the UN Security Council to reach a unified stance as regards the controversial wall whose construction is stirring turmoil in the already tension-gripped Middle East, he added.

The UNGA resolution will give the areas a wide range of options and will specially help them act within the framework of the UN to bring the whole wall issue before the International Court of Justice, Abul Gheit added.

Calling on Israel to follow the will of the international community, the Egyptian Ambassador highlighted the attitude shown by the European Union in support of the resolution which reflected the world's recognition of the Palestinian legitimate rights and its awareness of the danger of Israel's wicked expansionist plans in the Middle East.

The UNGA resolution was passed by a majority of votes. The ballot result was 144 countries in favour, four against.

The resolution reiterated the importance of the establishment of a state of Palestine that lives side by side with the state of Israel within secure and internationally- recognized bordered.