Hanan Ashrawi calls Arab states to act against Israeli expansionist project

Hanan Ashrawi, a member of the Palestinian government, called Friday on the Arab nation to set up a common strategy to counter the Israeli Zionist project to expand the occupied city of Jerusalem.

Interviewed by Moroccan Radio, Ashrawi said that the Israeli project reflects the genuine expansionist face and policy of Israel which is not interested in peace.

Ashrawi called the Arab and Islamic Ummah to weld join to foil the Israeli plans aimed at altering the Arab - Islamic landmarks and holy sites, Map reported.

The Arab League, which condemned the Israeli project of "Greater Jerusalem," has asked the UN Security Council to convene an emergency meeting to discuss the Israeli provocative measure. The AL also urged the United States not to use its veto power at the Security Council debates to open Tuesday.

Washington has asked for the Security Council's meeting to be delayed until the return of President Clinton from China and warned that it would veto any decision regarding Jerusalem.

U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has said recently that the Israeli decision does not help the peace process, blocked for more than 15 months due to the Jewish settlements projects in East Jerusalem.

For its part, the European Union, currently chaired by Britain, voiced concern over the Israeli drive aimed at changing the demographic structure in Jerusalem before the start of the final negotiations on the definite status of the Palestinian autonomous zones.