Thursday, April 24, 2008

Libya’s ’Concentration Camp’ Jibe Causes Walkout at the UN

THE TELEGRAPH: France's ambassador has led a walkout of some Western envoys from a United Nations Security Council debate on the Middle East after Libya compared the situation in the besieged Gaza Strip to Nazi "concentration camps".

According to one diplomat, Jean-Maurice Ripert took off his earpiece and walked out after his Libyan counterpart Giadalla Ettalhi made the remarks.

The incident occurred as the 15-member council was trying to agree on a compromise statement that would have highlighted the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza while also contribute to efforts to reach an Israeli-Palestinian settlement.

Speaking to reporters after the debate, Syria's UN Ambassador Bashar Jaafari told reporters: "Unfortunately those who complain of being victims of genocide (during World War II) are repeating the same kind of genocide against the Palestinians." "The issue for us is to see the Security Council properly involved in finding solutions" to the crisis, in particular "the Israeli persecution of the Palestinians," he added. UN Diplomats Walkout after Libya Compares Gaza to 'Concentration Camps' >>> By Julian Kossoff and agencies | April 24, 2008

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