Security Council
Photo: AP
Arabs want UN to condemn West Bank construction
Libya asks Security Council to condemn Israeli construction in east Jerusalem, settlements
WASHINGTON - Arab states against Israel: Libya, acting on behalf of Arab states, has asked the United Nations Security Council to condemn Israeli construction in east Jerusalem and the territories and demand that Israel end its construction efforts in the settlements.
Arab representatives were apparently encouraged by what they heard from many UN missions, including the Europeans, upset at Israel's plans to continue building in the West Bank, in contradiction to the Road Map and to the International Quartet's stance. Notably, the United States usually used its veto power against anti-Israel decisions by the Security Council.
Earlier this week, French President Nicolas Sarkozy also voiced his objection to Israeli construction, referring to settlement expansion and construction in east Jerusalem as "bad decisions."
Meanwhile, the Security Council discussed Israel and the Palestinians Friday, with Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon appointing a new American representative to a committee tasked with looking into damages incurred by the Palestinians as result of the West Bank security fence.
The meeting was originally scheduled for Thursday, but was postponed on Russia's request, to enable Russian representatives to watch their national team play Spain in the semi-final of the European soccer championship.
