The Arab League has criticised the United States for vetoing a UN Security Council resolution that sought to condemn Israeli massacres in the Gaza Strip.
The US used its veto to halt the draft resolution, sponsored by the Gulf state of Qatar, that criticised the Israeli tank shelling of homes in Beit Hanoun on Wednesday in which 19 people, including seven children and four women, were killed as they slept.
Amr Musa, the Arab League secretary general, said he was ‘surprised and disappointed’ by the US move.
He warned: ‘This veto will only increase anger.
‘It is inexplicable that a veto can be used to protect Israeli actions against civilians.’
Musa added that the Arab world would not accept peace with Israel unless it was ‘just and balanced’.
Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the Egyptian foreign minister, said America’s action would ‘only lead to imposing the situation that Israel wants, and increase the frustration of the Palestinian people’.
A statement issued by Aboul Gheit’s office said: ‘It is necessary for the Security Council to bear its responsibilities and stop turning a blind eye to Israeli acts in Gaza.’
• SECOND NEWS STORY
OLMERT WARNS BUSH
Israeli Prime Minister Olmert yesterday warned the US against a ‘premature pullout’ from Iraq, saying Iraq will collapse into civil war if US forces leave.
At the same time, Olmert added that ‘Iran must start to fear.
‘The guideline has to be that this government and the people of Iran must understand that if they do not accept the request of the international community, they’re going to pay dearly.’
His warnings came as US officials were gripped by a crisis following a sweeping Democratic win in last Tuesday’s mid-term elections.
Olmert will hold talks with US President Bush at the White House today.
The Israeli premier said yesterday: ‘If there is a premature pullout before Iraq has a robust government with a strong authority that can keep the country from collapsing into an internal civil war, America will have to think about the possible ramifications on neighbouring Arab countries with moderate governments.’
He asked: ‘How will it affect the stability of these countries against the radical forces that might flourish as a result of a premature pullout of America?’
Olmert added that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinezhad is a dangerous man and ‘he has to be stopped’.
He said Iran had to be given ‘good reason to fear the consequences of not reaching a compromise,’ on its nuclear programme.
