Smoke rises after a series of Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip. (Photo: AFP/VNA) New York (VNA) – The UN Security Council (UNSC) held thesecond emergency meeting this week on May 12 to discuss escalating tensionbetween Israel and Palestine in recent days, during which Vietnam expressedserious concern over and oppose related violent acts.
Delivering a briefing on the situation at the meeting, TorWennesland, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, stressedif there is a war, people of both sides will suffer the consequences. He calledon the UNSC and related parties to take urgent action to prevent therisk.
Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Permanent Representative ofVietnam to the UN, said that Vietnam is deeply concerned by the escalation oftension, violence and armed conflict leading to casualties in both sides.
Vietnam condemns violence and excessive use of lethal weaponsagainst civilians, he affirmed, calling on all parties involved to immediatelystop the escalation of violence, exercise maximum restraint, and avoid actionsand statements that could further complicate the tension.
Vietnam calls on the parties to resolve conflicts bypeaceful measures; ensure the security, safety and legitimate interests of thepeople; and not to attack their essential infrastructure, Quy noted.
The diplomat also emphasised the important role of regionaland international parties, including the Middle East Quartet, and welcomed recentefforts of international organisations and countries to reduce the stress.
The first emergency meeting on the matter took place on May10 at the request of eight council member nations – Tunisia, Ireland, China,Estonia, France, Norway, Niger, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Vietnam./.
VNA
