VP urges Arab summit to tackle Gaza attacks

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraqi Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi on Thursday called for convening an extraordinary Arab summit to discuss the situation in the Gaza Strip after six days of Israeli air strikes that left hundreds killed or wounded, according to a statement by Hashemi’s office. “I mourn the position of the Arab and Muslim world, which is preoccupied with trivial things instead of brining real pressure to bear in order to stop the carnage and bloodbath in Gaza,” read the statement, which quoted Hashemi as saying, as received by IraqiNews.com news agency on Thursday (1-1-2009). The Iraqi vice president called for “convening an extraordinary Arab summit immediately and exert all possible efforts to reach genuine reconciliation between the Palestinian factions in a manner that would unify their stands and bring security and stability to a wronged Palestinian people”. Hashemi appealed to the international community to practice pressures to open the crossings, lift the blockade off Gaza and allow relief and humanitarian aid to reach the Strip without any impediments. The Iraqi government on Saturday (27-1-2009) condemned Israeli army attacks on the Gaza Strip, calling for an end to military operations, avoiding endangering civilian lives and refraining from the collective punishment policy. The Iraqi parliament on Sunday (28-1-2009) urged Arab and Muslim nations to “rally ranks” in the face of Israel over the plight befalling the Palestinian people in Gaza. AmR (S) 1