Islam Times - Egypt seeks Pakistan's support on Gaza's issue at the UNSC

Islam Times - Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi called on Pakistan to support the Palestinian cause at the UN Security Council if the issue of Gaza was ever to be brought up, noting it was time for the international community to make a stand.

In a phone call to Pakistan Prime Minister Ashraf, President Morsi discussed the “Gaza situation”, stressing solidarity was needed at such a juncture. The Egyptian President also warned that Israel’s aggression could spur violence in the region and enflamed the Middle East as a whole.

Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf declared e considered Israeli air strikes against Gaza as open violation of international law, stressing Pakistan strongly opposed them.

Prime Minister Ashraf further stressed that peace in the Middle East could never be feasible without a resolution of the Palestinian issue.

A statement from Pakistan Foreign Ministry online read “Islamabad has consistently extended unequivocal and unreserved support to the Palestinian cause. Pakistan believes that unless the Palestinian problem is resolved, peace in the Middle East will remain elusive. We support the quest of the state of Palestine for membership of the United Nations and we believe that Palestine cannot be denied this right anymore.

Pakistan strongly condemns Israeli air attacks in Gaza that have targeted not only the Hamas leadership but also innocent civilians.

Israeli threats of a ground offensive against Gaza are even more disturbing. We are also deeply concerned that an escalation in the violence could lead to a spreading of the conflict to engulf the region.

Pakistan considers the Israeli action as a grave violation of international law and all humanitarian norms.

We call upon the international community to come together to stop the Israeli aggression forthwith and to work in unison for a peaceful resolution of this festering issue.”