The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) said on Friday that the fresh resolution of the UN Security Council, which called for immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, is not interesting "because it neglected the movement's demands."
After days of diplomatic wrestling, the UN Security Council on Thursday adopted resolution 1860 calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza "leading to the full withdrawal of Israeli forces."
The 15-nation council approved the resolution with 14 voting in favor. The United States abstained.
Osma Hamdan, Hamas representative in Lebanon, said in a written statement sent to reporters that the UN Security Council doesn't fulfill the movement's demands and "the movement, which is a major part in the conflict wasn't consulted."
Hamdan stressed what he called "the major three conditions of the movement, which are unconditioned ceasefire, full withdrawal, lifting the blockade and reopening all Gaza Strip border crossings, including Rafah."
Arab and Western diplomats seemed unconvinced that their handiwork would silence Israeli guns or stop the militant group Hamas from firing rockets into Israel.
However, the Arabs, the Palestinian National Authority and their foreign allies expressed hope that the resolution might nudge the warring parties onto a new course to halt the bloodshed in the Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile, Sami Abu Zuhri, Hamas movement's spokesman said in a statement that his movement rejects the UN resolution, adding that "it serves the Israeli interests through an endless political process."
(Xinhua News Agency January 9, 2009)