Nebenzia: The UN Security Council has become hostage of Washington’s policies in the Middle East

Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya confirmed that the American veto that obstructed the acceptance of Palestine’s membership in the international organization shows that the UN Security Council has become hostage of United States policies in the Middle East.

TASS news agency quoted Nebenzia as saying at a meeting of the United Nations General Assembly yesterday devoted to discussing the American veto: “We deeply regret such actions by the American side, as they do not at all reflect the principled position taken by other members of the UN Security Council who, during the past six months, have in fact become hostages of US policy in the Middle East”.

Last month, the United States used its veto power in the Security Council, thereby obstructing the Algerian draft resolution on accepting Palestine as a full member of the United Nations.

Nebenzia pointed out that the situation in Palestine does not have and cannot have a military solution, adding: “One of our firm convictions is for Palestine to have full membership in the United Nations, and that would settle the initial negotiating positions of the two parties”.

He said: “The least we can and must do in accordance with all moral necessities, here and now, is to fulfill Palestine’s request to join the ranks of members of the United Nations”.

He has called for an independent international investigation of mass graves in Gaza Strip.

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday called for granting immediate access to the sites of mass graves in Gaza Strips for independent investigators.

Souha Suleiman