Cairo, Aug. 12 (Petra) — Arab Parliament (AP) Speaker Mohammed
al-Yamahi “strongly” condemned Colombia’s declaration to recognize
Israeli occupation sovereignty over the occupied Syrian Golan.

In a statement Wednesday, Yamahi said the move constitutes a
“blatant” violation of international law and an “unacceptable”
disregard for resolutions of international legitimacy.

He said the step is a rejected attempt to grant political cover to an
illegal reality, imposed by force of occupation.

The statement warned: “Such positions would undermine respect for
international law and set a dangerous precedent in dealing with
territories under occupation, which has negative repercussions on
efforts to achieve peace, security and stability in the region.”

Yamahi urged the Colombian government to reconsider and immediately
reverse its position, and commit to the principles of international
law and relevant United Nations resolutions.

He reiterated the Arab Parliament’s “firm” position, which wiews
Golan as an occupied Syrian Arab land.

Unilateral position or declaration by any state can’t alter legal
status or infringe on the established rights of the Syrian Arab
Republic over Golan Heights. Occupation cannot serve as a basis for
acquiring sovereignty or establishing legal rights over territory
seized by force, he pointed out.

Yamahi added that UN Security Council Resolution 497 of 1981
represents a “clear” international reference on the legal status of
the occupied Syrian Golan.

//Petra// NQ