The UN Security Council failed Friday to agree on a statement to
help end the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, despite lengthy
negotiations.
Libya's UN Ambassador Giadalla Ettalhi, who holds this month's
rotating council presidency, blocked the statement, saying he had
to report to Tripoli the latest text, which is backed by 14 other
members.
Ettalhi said he expects to receive instructions from the capital
Monday and then will consult other members to schedule a
meeting.
U.S. ambassador Alejandro Wolff, who Thursday said there would
be "difficulties" for the council in reaching an agreement, called
the new text "balanced."
"There are no more sticking points for the United States any
more," Wolff said, adding that he did not expect any changes to the
text in its current form.
The original text of the draft, submitted by Libya with the
support of Arab countries, expressed concern over the situation in
Gaza and called on Israel to end its blockade and allow the entry
of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people.
The United States, a staunch ally of Israel, has insisted that
Israel's security concerns should be addressed in the
statement.
The revised version urges Israel "to minimize the impact of its
actions on the civilian population in Gaza" and "to facilitate safe
and secure access for humanitarian aid to the Palestinians."
It also contains a condemnation of rocket attacks against
Israeli civilians.
Israel ordered the shut-down of all Gaza crossings in the wake
of Hamas' violent takeover of the Gaza Strip in June 2007 and
further tightened the siege recently in retaliation to ongoing
makeshift rocket attacks carried out by Palestinian militants from
Gaza against Israel.
(Xinhua News Agency January 26, 2008)
