AL official: Arabs enjoy major UN support on ICJ

Arab League Chief Delegate to the United Nations Yehia Al- Mahmasani said yesterday that the Arab group in the world body enjoys great support from a majority of member states as regards the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling on the separation wall Israel is building on the West Bank territory.

Speaking to Egypt's Sawt Al-Arab Radio, the senior diplomat said that the Arab group in the UN has already drawn up comprehensive plans to follow up the ICJ's advisory opinion.

The ICJ said last Friday that Israel "is under an obligation to terminate its breaches of international law (and) it is under an obligation to cease forthwith the works of construction." The ICJ called on Israel to compensate the Palestinians for all damage caused by the construction of the wall.

It also asked the UN General Assembly and Security Council to discuss "What further action is required to bring to an end the illegal situation resulting from the construction of the wall." The ruling was made at the request of the UN General Assembly, which last year asked the court for its non-binding legal opinion on the construction of the wall.