Saturday, March 30, 2002

US backs UN on Mid-East crisis


The United States has joined other UN Security Council members in approving a resolution urging Israel to withdraw from Palestinian cities.

It is the second time in a month that the US - a staunch ally of Israel - has supported UN action on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, having for years vetoed any proposal critical of Israel.

On 12 March, the Security Council approved a resolution submitted by Washington which called for separate Israeli and Palestinian states in the region, as well as an immediate ceasefire.

Israel's assault on Yasser Arafat's headquarters in Ramallah on Friday prompted the Security Council to hold an emergency debate, which continued through the night.

UN Resolution 1402 - proposed by Norway - was approved on Saturday by 14 votes to 0 after the marathon session.

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