The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is set to host an emergency session on Tuesday to address the Gaza situation, as confirmed by a senior official. Dennis Francis, President of the UNGA, announced the convening of the 45th plenary meeting of the tenth Emergency Special Session.
Monica Grayley, spokesperson for Francis, communicated this development, revealing that Egypt and Mauritania formally requested this assembly under the General Assembly Resolution 377, known as "Uniting for Peace." This resolution empowers the Assembly to tackle matters of global peace and security when the Security Council is hindered by unanimous decisions among its five permanent members with veto authority.
The urgency for this meeting was emphasized following the recent US veto of a Security Council draft resolution for a Gaza ceasefire on December 8. This resolution, supported by nearly 100 countries and initiated by the UAE, urged an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.
Despite significant backing with 13 favorable votes, the UK abstained, and the US opposed the resolution.
Key Points:
1. The UN General Assembly is set to hold an emergency meeting on Tuesday to address the Gaza situation, as confirmed by Dennis Francis, the President of the General Assembly.
2. The meeting, the 45th plenary session of the tenth Emergency Special Session, was called following formal requests from Egypt and Mauritania. They referred to the "Uniting for Peace" resolution, allowing the Assembly to address global peace and security issues when the Security Council faces a deadlock due to veto power.
3. This urgent meeting was prompted after the US vetoed a Security Council draft resolution on a Gaza ceasefire on December 8. The draft, supported by approximately 100 nations and introduced by the UAE, aimed for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.
4. Despite receiving backing from 13 out of 15 Security Council members, with the UK abstaining, the US's veto halted the resolution.
5. The General Assembly's emergency meeting signifies a pivotal step after the Security Council's impasse, emphasizing the global concern and the need for action regarding the situation in Gaza.
(With Agency Inputs)
