ARAB FOREIGN MINISTERS TODAY STRONGLY DENOUNCED THE CONTINUING ISRAELI AGGRESSION AGAINST THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE, CITING BAIT HANNON MASSACRE WHICH TARGETED UNARMED CIVILIANS, MAINLY CHILDREN AND WOMEN. IN A STATEMENT FOLLOWING AN EXTRAORDINARY MEETING WHICH WRAPPED UP HERE TODAY, THE MINISTERS EXPRESSED DEEP UPSET FOR THE U.S. VETO, FOILING AN ARAB-SPONSORED DRAFT RESOLUTION IN THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL TO CONDEMN ISRAELI AGGRESSION AGAINST PALESTINIANS. THE STATEMENT DESCRIBED THE U.S. POSITION AS UNFRIENDLY TOWARDS THE ARAB COUNTRIES AND PEOPLES, BARRING THE SECURITY COUNCIL TO PLAY ITS ROLE AS PEACEKEEPER, SENDING A WRONG MESSAGE ENCOURAGING ISRAEL TO CONTINUE ITS AGGRESSION, DERAILING ENDEAVORS TO BRING ABOUT PEACE IN THE REGION AND HARMING THE U.S. CREDIBILITY TO PLAY A CONSTRUCTIVE ROLE IN ACHIEVING PEACE IN THE REGION. THE MINISTERS DEMANDED IMMEDIATE BREAKING OF THE SIEGE IMPOSED ON THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE AND CALLED ON THE PALESTINIANS TO FORGE A NATIONAL UNITY GOVERNMENT TO CONFRONT THE SERIOUS CHALLENGES FACING THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE. THEY ALSO CALLED FOR THE PROMPT RELEASE OF PALESTINIAN PRISONERS OF WAR, PARTICULARLY THE ELDERS, WOMEN AND CHILDREN AS WELL AS MEMBERS OF THE PALESTINIAN GOVERNMENT AND OFFICIALS. THEY ALSO CALLED FOR THE RELEASE OF THE ISRAELI SOLDIER. --MORE
