Malaysia Calls On Asia-Pacific States To Support Palestine-Israel Peace Talks

KUALA LUMPUR, July 11 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has called on Asia-Pacific states to continue supporting diplomatic efforts by the Quartet on the Middle East to accelerate peace talks between Palestine and Israel. Foreign Ministry deputy secretary-general (Bilateral Affairs) Husni Zai Yaacop (repeat" Yaacop) said every state should be part of these global, concentrated and coordinated efforts as civil societies to realise the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinians and the international community. "We must remain conscious of the efforts by the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People (CEIRPP) especially to heighten international awareness of all aspects of the question for Palestine and promote international support for and assistance to the Palestinian people and to bring to an end of the Palestinians sufferings. "As such, we must continue to create and raise public awareness on the Palestinian struggle," he said during the United Nations Asian and Pacific Meeting in Support of Israeli-Palestinian Peace in Bangkok, Thailand on Tuesday. The text of his speech was made available to Bernama here on Tuesday. (The Quartet is a foursome of nations and international and supranational entities involved in mediating the peace process in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Quartet are the United Nations, the United States, the European Union, and Russia). Husni said it was important to work closely with domestic and international parties beyond racial, religious, and political boundaries to ensure that the Palestine struggle be finally rewarded. Expressing Malaysia's utmost concern at the continued destruction and devastation of the Palestinian population by the Israeli occupying forces, he said Malaysia strongly condemned the inhumane crimes committed by Israel, including the continued wilful killing of Palestinian civilians. He urged the international community especially Asia and Pacific states to continue to pressure Israel to abide and comply with all relevant UN Resolutions, Humanitarian and Human Rights laws and cease its illegal occupation in the Palestinian territories. -- BERNAMA