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
- Man posted doctored photos of Nik Aziz
- Heartbreaking wait for mum
- Sodomy II: Karpal claims judge lied (Updated)
- The world just got bigger
- Opposition leaders decry court’s ruling
- Thumbs-up for Najib
- Weather warning for Perak, Selangor and Sabah
- 5-0 for BN’s Zambry
- Saiful files report over death threat
- WWF: Orang asli being used
- 60 lose RM25mil in gold investment scam
- Canberra to set new skills list
- Sodomy II: Karpal claims judge lied (Updated)
- MAS offers CNY bargains
- ‘Flashing candy’ a health hazard: Health Ministry
- Fleet card cloning ring busted with arrest of trio
- WWF: Orang asli being used
- Vietnamese plumber fined RM10,000 over RM75 bribe
- Toyota puts the brakes on problem
- Manila joins hunt for Semporna gunmen
RSS
