Iran welcomes UN resolution against Israeli settlements

The Iranian Foreign Ministry said Saturday that it welcomed the UN Security Council resolution that demands an end to the Israeli settlement building in occupied Palestinian territories, Tehran Times daily reported.

"The move is a sign of international community's determination to end Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories and restoring the rights of the Palestinian people," Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi was quoted as saying.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran would welcome any measure that supports the legitimate demands of Palestinians, strengthens the international status of Palestine and opposes the Zionist regime's occupation and its expansionist policies," Qasemi said in a statement.

The spokesman said Iran has repeatedly called the Israeli settlement expansion a "flagrant" violation of international laws.

Qasemi also expressed satisfaction with growing international awareness of Israeli atrocities against Palestinians.

"As far as we are concerned, the resolution of the Palestinian issue requires serious and decisive measures by the international community to fulfill the rights of the innocent Palestinian people and to fight the Zionist regime's expansionist policies," he said.

The UN resolution passed Friday demands Israel "immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem."

source: Xinhua