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TORONTO: It is a paradox that Palestinians are still denied a physical seat at the UN General Assembly even as their cause tops the international agenda, Mauritania\u2019s foreign minister told the UN General Assembly on Friday.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u201cThis contravenes the spirit of dialogue and pluralism that the UN is underpinned upon,\u201d said Mohamed Salem Merzoug.<\/p>\n
\u00a0The remark came after the UNGA voted for the second year running to let Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas address the gathering by video, following the US denial of entry visas to him and other Palestinian officials from the delegation.<\/p>\n
\u00a0Merzoug called for the full implementation of the Gaza peace plan, saying it would pave the way for the territory\u2019s reconstruction.<\/p>\n
\u00a0He welcomed recognition of Palestinian statehood by European countries and their sanctions on Israeli settlers, but said such steps need to be followed by firmer international action to end settlement activity.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u201cThe systematic destruction witnessed in the Palestinian territory and the ensuing fall of victims and displacement are the responsibility of the international community, especially the UN,\u201d he said. \u201cWe have to protect the Palestinian people and end their suffering.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0Merzoug also voiced support for Lebanon\u2019s sovereignty; Sudan\u2019s unity and territorial integrity, calling for an immediate end to the war there; and a permanent settlement in Libya that preserves its unity.<\/p>\n
\u00a0He backed initiatives by Saudi Arabia and other Arab states to support Yemen, and called for a solution to Western Sahara that is acceptable to all parties.<\/p>\n
\u00a0He expressed concern over military escalation in the Middle East and the resulting threat to regional stability, voicing support for Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan \u201cin the face of the attacks against their stability and security.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0Merzoug said after more than eight decades since the UN\u2019s founding, the Security Council needs to be restructured to ensure fair representation for Africa.<\/p>\n
\u00a0The reform, he added, should include permanent and non-permanent seats for Africa alongside a review of the UN\u2019s financial architecture \u2014 changes that would enable more equal cooperation and open greater opportunities for development.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u201cThe world today faces an important moment that goes beyond political challenges,\u201d Merzoug said. \u201cThere are acute humanitarian, environmental and economic challenges.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0The international community owes future generations \u201ca better world than the one we\u2019ve inherited,\u201d he added, calling for renewed joint effort and for the UN to regain its effectiveness in safeguarding peace and security.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n