LOC22:23
19:23 GMT
UNITED NATIONS, Nov 24 (KUNA) -- US Deputy Permanent Representative to the
UN Alejandro Wolff on Tuesday hinted that his delegation will veto a proposed
Libyan draft resolution in the Security Council that would call on Israel to
freeze all settlements in the occupied territory.
"He has lots of ideas," Wolff told reporters with a big smile, in reference
to Libyan UN Ambassador Abderrahman Shalgham's move to have the council adopt
a resolution in this regard.
Speaking to reporters following the council monthly briefing on the
situation in the Middle East earlier in the day, Shalgham expressed hope that
agreement on the proposed draft would take place before the Eid Holiday this
Friday, stressing that his delegation will not accept a presidential statement
on the issue.
Libya will vacate the Arab seat in the council as a non permanent member in
late December. The seat will be filled by Lebanon beginning January.
He said he told the council meeting that Israel wants land, security, ...
but refuses to offer anything in return, especially now that there is no
resistance, President Mahmoud Abbas will not run for re-election and the
Palestinian factions remain divided. "Where is the region heading" he wondered.
He noted that all 15 council members are opposed to the Israeli settlement
activities, expressing regret, however, that the Obama Administration has
failed so far to rein in Israel's policy in this regard.
"The council must react," he stressed, admitting that the number of council
members opposed to the Libyan draft is "very limited".
Palestinian envoy Ryad Mansour cast doubts agreement on the proposed draft
would be achieved before the end of the week.
"It takes responsible and quiet diplomacy" in the council and in capitals,
he told reporters, adding that the issue will be high on the agenda of the
upcoming meeting of Arab Ministers who will in Cairo and decide what to do
next.
He described the Libyan proposed draft as one of the options the
Palestinians have and expressed regret that the Obama Administration failed to
deliver on its promises to bring Israel into compliance on the issue of
settlements. (end)
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