UNITED NATIONS, UnitedStates: The United States on Saturday blocked a draft UN Security Council statement urging restraint and calling for an investigation of clashes on the Gaza-Israel border that left 16 dead, diplomats said. (EPA photo)Kuwait, which represents Arab countries on the council, presented the proposed statement, which called for an “independent and transparent investigation” of the violence. The draft council statement also expressed “grave concern at the situation at the border.”And it reaffirmed “the right to peaceful protest” and expressed the council’s “sorrow at the loss of innocent Palestinian lives.”The draft statement was circulated to the council on Friday, but on Saturday the United States raised objections and said it did not support its adoption, a Security Council diplomat told AFP. (EPA photo)The proposed statement also called “for respect for international human rights law and international humanitarian law, including protection of civilians,” according to the draft seen by AFP. The proposed statement stressed the need to promote peace between Israel and the Palestinians based on a two-state solution.

Source: New Strait Times March 31, 2018 23:03 UTC