Iran urges better UN efforts to defend Palestinians against Israel

Iran UN envoy has pleaded with the head of the world body for more UN support of the Palestinian people against persistent Israeli atrocities, including economic blockades against Palestinians and detention and torture of children.

Mohammad Khazaei, who also serves as the chairman of the coordination center of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), met with the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Security Council president on Thursday as part of a group representing Palestinian, Islamic and Arab organizations. During the meetings, he pressed for more practical steps on the part of the UN to make the Zionist regime accountable for its actions against the Palestinian population in Gaza and other Palestinian territories.

In a press briefing following the meetings, Khazaei said he had reminded the UN officials of the continuing Zionist aggressions against the Palestinian nation, including the freezing of tax revenues collected from the Palestinian people, the detention, interrogation and torture of Palestinian youth by the Tel Aviv regime, as well as the expansion of Zionist settlements and the issue of al-Quds (Jerusalem).

Responding to questions regarding the illegal Arab League move in turning over Syria’s seat at the organization to anti-Damascus insurgents and the possibility of attempting similar efforts at the United Nations, the Iranian envoy strongly rejected the idea as “a very dangerous move” that undermines international laws and regulations.

He also warned that if such efforts are extended from regional organizations to the world body, it would lead the United Nations towards disintegration and total collapse.

If insurgent gangs and opposition groups were to replace governments in regional and international organizations, it would definitely set a dangerous precedent, Khazaei insisted.

On March 6, the Arab League called on Syria’s opposition National Coalition “to form an executive body to take up Syria’s seat” at the upcoming summit, which was held in Doha on Tuesday, March 26.

In November 2011, the Arab League suspended membership of Syria, which is a founding member of the organization.

Iraq and Algeria are the only countries that have expressed reservations for the summit, while Lebanon has opposed the decision.