UN Security Council passes vote on Gaza - US abstains

Turkmenistan News.Net
Thursday 8th January, 2009

The United Nations Security Council has passed a resolution paving the way for the implementation of a ceasefire in Gaza.

The 14 day-old conflict has taken nearly 800 lives, wounded more than three thousand people, and destroyed much of the infrastructure of the area.

The wording of the resolution is said to initiate an "immediate, durable and fully respected ceasefire," and provides for the rebuilding of the destroyed property, and the ending of weapons smuggling into Gaza.

The text of the resolution was drafted by Britain with support from the U.S. and France, and input from Arab negotiators including the foreign ministers of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Morroco, Jordan, and Qatar.

The resolution condemns all violence and hostilities directed against civilians and all acts of terrorism, while providing for an intensification of efforts to end the smuggling of weapons and munitions into Gaza from Egypt.

The resolution also calls for the unimpeded provision and distribution of humanitarian aid throughout Gaza.

The vote on the Security Council, which has fifteen members, was 14 to nil. The United States abstained from voting.

The United States did not cast its vote on the resolution after US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, said the crisis only began because Hamas took over from the legitimate Palestinian authority in a coup.

But Ms Rice also said the UN Security council had provided a roadmap for a sustainable, durable peace in Gaza.

Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Riyad Malaki said he was disappointed with the US abstention, as were many other diplomats.

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