U.N. Security Council Debates on Middle East ViolenceThe United Nations Security Council on Tuesday afternoon began a debate on the six-day long violence between Palestinians and Israelis.The debate came after the unsuccessful efforts of the Security Council Monday night and Tuesday morning to reach an agreement among the council members on a statement condemning the violence that threatens the ongoing Middle East peace process. Dozens of delegations are expected to make a statement at the debate which is scheduled to continue Wednesday morning. Speaking to the press before the debate, Richard Holbrook, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said, "The Security Council is supposed to help conflict resolution and peacemaking, not a forum for inflaming issue." Referring to the fact that U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright is due to hold meetings in Paris on Wednesday with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, Holbrook said "We have a responsibility, and the responsibility Wednesday is to support the efforts of Secretary Albright and her French colleagues, Chairman Arafat and Prime Minister Barak." According to reports reaching here, the violence has claimed 55 lives and injured more than 1,000. Israelis and Palestinians have blamed each other for the violence that began after Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon last Thursday visited the Al-Haram, site of the Al-Aqsa mosque, revered by Muslims as their third most holy shrine. |
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