Malaysia Wants Moderate Approach To Conflict Resolution In Middle East

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 26 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has underlined a moderate approach to conflict resolution in order to bridge the differences and restore stability to the lives of Palestinians, Syrians and other peoples of the Middle East. Malaysia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Hussein Haniff said as such, Malaysia believed it was important to continue to sow the seeds of moderation in the region, and remove the root causes from which extremists found fertile soil to plant their poisonous ideology. He said Malaysia's priority in the Middle East was a just and lasting solution to the question of Palestine. "Malaysia reaffirms its solidarity with the Palestinian people and reiterates support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinians for an independent State of Palestine with the realisation of two states, Palestine and Israel, living side by side based on the pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine." Hussein said this in his address on "Agenda Item 35: The Situation in the Middle East" at the United Nations, in New York Tuesday. The text of his speech was made available to Bernama, here, Wednesday. Hussein said Malaysia also condemned the acts of violence which occurred in the Gaza Strip this summer where the Israeli assault of the Gaza Strip left thousands dead and tens of thousands homeless. On the situation in Syria, he said Malaysia was concerned with the escalating violence that had resulted in heavy casualties and hardships to the people of Syria. He said the ongoing instability had now provided opportunities for other armed terrorist groups with ulterior motives to take root in the region, such as the so-called Islamic State. "Malaysia rejects the actions of this group, and we condemn the violence being committed in the name of Islam. We hope that we are collectively able to combat this emerging threat before history again repeats itself and yet another black flag rises in the Middle East in the absence of a resolution to the conflict." Therefore, he said, a political solution was the only way to end the conflict, and Malaysia would continue to support international efforts which called upon all parties in Syria to immediately end the crisis in a peaceful and meaningful manner through dialogue and negotiation. "All parties inside and outside Syria should come together and work towards a political solution which is Syrian-led and inclusive, to ensure a viable and sustainable outcome," he said. -- BERNAMA