Kuwait applauds French call for Middle East peace confab

‘Set timetable for end to Israeli occupation’

NEW YORK, Dec 2, (KUNA): Kuwait has applauded a French call for holding an international conference for peace in the Middle East, hoping such a gathering would pave way for ending Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories.

The support for the French gesture was demonstrated by Counsellor Bader Al-Munayekh, Kuwait’s Deputy Permanent Representative at the United Nations, addressing a UN General Assembly session on “the situation in Palestine.” The debate coincided with the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people, observed by the UN on, or around, Nov 29, annually.

“Today, we celebrate the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People ... unarmed people who continue to suffer from the occupation and deprivation of simplest living rights and dignity,” Counsellor Al-Munayekh said.

“I am addressing sincere salutes to the steadfastness and struggle of the Palestinian people, affirming our unwavering commitment to them until they attain all legitimate political rights, establishing their independent state on their territories with East Jerusalem as the capital,” the senior Kuwaiti diplomat stated.

Counsellor Al-Munayekh called for setting a timetable for ending the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories according to international rules and laws.

He condemned the inhuman and illegal siege of Gaza, a block that constitutes flagrant breach of the Security Council Resolution 1860 and the 1949 Fourth Geneva Convention.

Israel’s encirclement of Gaza must be lifted immediately, Al-Munayekh stressed in front of his colleagues, senior envoys of nations of the world.

He urged the international community, through the UN and particularly the Security Council, to protect the unarmed Palestinian people who have been facing “the Israeli military machine” and ending the occupation with the fastest possible mechanism.

Al-Munayekh called on stakeholders of the Middle East peace process to increase pressure on Israel and nudge it to accept the relevant UN resolutions, re-affirming the UN ongoing responsibility toward the Palestinian cause until reaching a just, full and sustainable settlement to all relevant issues, namely the refugee plight.

The Kuwaiti diplomat lambasted Israel’s continuing seizure of Palestinian lands, expanding settlements and targeting civilians with live ammunition. Moreover, he has noted that the Palestinian cause remains a “basic foundation” of Kuwait’s foreign policy, reiterating support for all efforts aimed at settling the issue on basis of the Arab peace initiative, international laws and resolutions.