The Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, affirmed that the UN Security Council resolution on ending the war in the Gaza Strip is the beginning, not the end, of the road. He added that efforts on all levels are needed in the coming phase to translate the resolution's provisions into tangible improvements in the lives of the Palestinian people.
Gamal Roshdy, the Secretary-General's spokesperson, quoted Mr. Aboul Gheit as saying that the resolution reflects the international community's commitment to the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, which has suffered destruction seldom witnessed in modern history. He added that the resolution also includes a crucial reference to a credible path leading to the establishment of a Palestinian state. Mr. Aboul Gheit said he hoped that all parties committed to the two-state solution will join forces to transform this commitment into concrete action and achieve real progress towards the realisation of an independent Palestinian state and the end of the Israeli occupation, given that the continuation of the occupation is the core of the problem and the root cause of instability in the region.
Mr. Aboul Gheit expressed his hope that the second phase of the 20-point plan would be implemented urgently, and that the recent Security Council resolution would ensure that the occupying power would allow the entry of humanitarian aid and essential materials needed for the reconstruction process.
