Khazaee: NAM Supports Palestinian UN Observer Status

New York, Dec. 1, IRNA – Iran's Permanent Representative at the United Nations representing the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in the US Mohammad Khazaee said NAM welcomes Palestine's observer status at the UN. Speaking on behalf of NAM and representing it at the international body, he said, 'This movement supports the efforts of Palestinians for upgrading their membership at the UN to the observer status.' Khazaee delivered a speech on the occasion of the day of solidarity with the Palestinian nation and the approval of Palestine as an observer member of the UN as observer on Thursday at the UN headquarters in New York. 'We want the Palestinian issue and the problem of refugees to be fairly settled,' Khazaee said. He noted that the Non-Aligned Movement is calling for immediate and earnest action of the international community for condemning the Zionist regime's aggressions against the Palestinians. Pointing to the decisions made at the 16th NAM Summit in Tehran in late August, Khazaee said, 'NAM by supporting the efforts of the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and also the efforts made by the Committee for Recognizing the Rights of Palestinian Nation is regretful that the occupying power is continuing to violate the UN resolutions.' He said that the continuous aggressions of the Zionist regime against the rights of Palestinians and Gaza siege are evident violation of the rights of Palestinians. 'A total of 160 Palestinians were murdered by that regime which is against all international principles and laws,' Khazaee added. The UN General Assembly on Thursday afternoon put to vote a request by the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on his country attaining UN observer status. A total of 137 countries voted in favor of Palestine's non-member observer status despite strong opposition by US, Canada, and Israel. Palestine and Vatican are two countries which have non-member observer status at UN./end