S/PV.6063
6063rd meeting
Thursday, 8 January 2009, 9.15 p.m.
New York
The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question
Mr. Shalgham (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya) (spoke in Arabic): Before the hundreds of people being killed every day in Gaza; the thousands being wounded; the total destruction by naval, air and ground bombardment; and the long-standing siege of our people in Gaza, we have sought urgently to put an end to the Israeli aggression, lift the siege and provide the Palestinian people with humanitarian assistance, medicines and food. To that end, we submitted an Arab draft resolution and stepped up our contacts with the members of the Security Council in order to mobilize support for it. In that respect, we thank those member States that responded positively to our efforts.
After several meetings and lengthy discussions with the United States of America, France, the United Kingdom and Arab ministers currently present at the United Nations, we formulated a draft resolution, submitted by the United Kingdom, that the Arab Group believes to meet our minimum requirements, including an immediate ceasefire, the withdrawal of the Israeli forces of aggression, the opening of the crossing points and guarantees for the delivery of humanitarian assistance. We therefore voted in favour of resolution 1860 (2009).
We believe, however, that the situation on the ground in Gaza requires a speedier response and a stronger resolution commensurate with the scope of the tragedy. Although we do not agree with some of its provisions, we voted in favour of the draft resolution.
Beyond this tragedy, another tragedy exists today: that of the 11,000 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, some of them elected members of the Legislative Council. Yet we hear unending talk about one Israeli prisoner, a soldier: just one soldier compared to 11,000 civilians, including children, women and members of parliament. Yet nobody defends them.
But the important and urgent thing now is to implement the provisions of the present resolution in such a way as to put an end to the Israeli massacre in Gaza and to halt the Israeli destruction machine. Working to ensure the implementation of this resolution will be a test for us and our credibility. It will also be a test for peace. This Israeli crime must not continue.
