Published: Wednesday January 7, 2009 MYT 1:45:00 PM
Updated: Wednesday January 7, 2009 MYT 4:28:34 PM
Support for M’sia’s call for special UN session on Palestine
By MAZWIN NIK ANIS
PUTRAJAYA: The world community has started to come out to support Malaysia’s call for a special United Nations General Assembly session to discuss on the atrocities against Palestine.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Rais Yatim said the Asean grouping and Indonesia has responded to the idea positively and Malaysia hoped more countries would support the move so there would be an assertive effort to stop Israel’s aggression in Gaza.
“I have received letters from my Indonesian counterpart Dr Hassan Wirajuda and also from Asean secretary-general Dr Surin Pitsuan yesterday (Tuesday). Both voiced their commitment and support to see an end to the violence.
“This is a positive indication that Malaysia’s views on the Israel-Palestine issue are accepted by many,” he said after attending his ministry’s first monthly gathering for the year.
On Monday, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi pushed for a special UN general assembly session to discuss on Israel’s invasion of Palestine’s Gaza Strip.
The Prime Minister had also criticised the United States for not doing enough to halt the invasion and for vetoing the UN Security Council’s move to condemn Israel.
Abdullah has contacted UN secretary-general Ban Ki Moon and the world body’s president Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann, urging the two leaders to hold the special session after the security council failed to reach a decision to stop the attacks.
Rais said Wisma Putra had also asked Malaysia’s permanent representative to the UN, Datuk Hamidon Ali to “increase his lobbying efforts” to get more countries to support the special session.
“We are hoping that the new United States’ president Barack Obama, who will assume duty on Jan 20, will use his power, influence and humanity to stop the violence inflicted on Palestinians,” he said.
For the first time since the attacks, Obama voiced his concern over developments in the Middle East but said that he would not interfere until he officially takes office.
News Poll
- Court ruling takes bite out of local council summonses
- Chin Peng apologises for death of innocents
- Girl and stepmum held over bid to kill first wife
- Biggest karaoke session a blast
- New evidence on MCA snoop squad case arrives at doorstep
- Teoh’s body exhumed for second autopsy today
- Victim’s dad nabs kidnapper
- Foreigner falls to her death from condominium
- Puad faces flak over ‘use Bahasa only’ remark
- Big impact in ‘small’ man’s win
- Court ruling takes bite out of local council summonses
- Big impact in ‘small’ man’s win
- Malaysians must get regular dental checks
- No licence to try offenders
- Weapons drawn for new battle
- Johor set to be a medical hub
- Joy for 2,500 housebuyers as SPNB takes over project
- Draw valuable, life-saving lessons from tragedies
- RM849mil owed by various state agencies
- Indonesia seizes ammonium nitrate shipment from Malaysia
RSS
