Syria's Foreign Minister calls US veto of UN resolution on settlements "disgraceful"

Syria’s Foreign Minister has said that America’s veto of a UN Security Council Resolution condemning Israeli settlements was “disgraceful”. Walid Al-Muallem said that this was not the end of the road for the issue; the Palestinian issue could regain momentum through national reconciliation and an end to the split between Fatah and Hamas.

Mr. Al-Muallem was responding to questions at a press conference and added, “Whoever counts on an American veto is mistaken because American policy is still the same as far as the Arab-Israeli conflict is concerned. The Americans are willing to condemn settlement and consider it illegal but when the moment of truth arrives, unfortunately they always side with Israel.”

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The Foreign Minister also said that the Palestinian Authority should not chase after the phantom “peace process” or disregard important Palestinian factions by going to the Security Council, which is dominated by the United States; he warned against continuing the internal Palestinian conflict.

When asked about the feasibility of holding the next Arab League Summit in Iraq following events across the Arab world, Mr. Al-Muallem stressed the importance of Arab solidarity at this difficult time. It is, he said, both necessary and a priority: “The Arabs should unite against external forces trying to subvert their ability to counter conspiracies being fermented against them,” he urged. “Arab solidarity is required today and Arab leaders must analyse the situation in the Arab world and ways to carry out reform. There are tasks that the Arab regimes must perform.” He pointed out that the summit could provide an opportunity for Arab leaders to exchange views on issues of mutual concern at what is a very difficult time for all.

Source: Quds Press