New York: Reiterating its long-standing demand in the UN that Israel should stop Palestine occupation, Saudi Arabia urged the UN to move on to establish an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital to bring permanent peace in the Middle East.
Counselor Mohammed Al-Ateeq, charge d'affaires of the permanent mission of Saudi Arabia to the UN, highlighted the benefits of the two-state solution. He also wanted Israel to accord the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, return of refugees, and putting an end to Israel's occupation of all Arab territories.
During his speech to the UN Security Council session, Al-Ateeq raised Israel's force's action in the Al-Aqsa Mosque, where defenseless worshippers were attacked and gates were closed in the Holy month of Ramadan. He called the Israeli actions a blatant attack on the Islamic nation and a violation of international resolutions.
The Saudi diplomat called on the international community, and the UN Security Council in particular, to hold Israel fully responsible for its continued violations against Palestinian people and their territories which, he pointed out, would only lead to more violence and security tensions in the region.