SHAH ALAM – The word 'permanent' was removed from yesterday’s United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution before the meeting started.
In a video released on the meeting, a representative from Russia said an hour before the meeting, the word 'permanent' relating to a ceasefire was proposed to be replaced by a more 'weak' wording, which he deemed unacceptable.
"We all received instructions for the vote on the text that contains the word permanent and we believe that it is of fundamental importance.
"All of the remaining wording leaves too broad an area for interpretation which could allow Israel to resume its military operation in the Gaza Strip at any moment following the expiry of the ceasefire, which we today hope will be established.
"In order to avoid this scenario, we would like to make an oral amendment to the text and return the word ‘permanent’ in OP1,” he said.
The proposed amendment received three votes in favour, one vote against from the United States representative and eleven abstentions.