League Of Arab States Demands End To Israeli Military Operations Against Palestinians

Secretary-General of the League of Arab States Amr Moussa has called on the international community to bring pressure to bear on Israel to end its military operations against Palestinians. A statement released on Tuesday stressed that talk of Israel's right to self-defence "ignores the fact that the Palestinian nation is defending itself against the Israeli occupation of its territory." The secretary-general declared that the continuation of violence and retaliatory strikes was creating a vicious circle, which had to be broken immediately. According to him, international efforts should aim to defuse the crisis and resurrect the negotiation process, which would guarantee an Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian territories and the creation of a Palestinian state. Amr Moussa said that the continuation of the occupation would drive Palestinians into further despair and violence. In addition, Moussa expressed his concern over the Israeli bombing of the residence of Palestinian National Authority head Yasser Arafat in Gaza.