Kuala Lumpur, 2008 Jan 22, IRIB
 
Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Tuesday condemned the Zionist regime's blockade of Gaza and its closing of all border crossings.

"The blockade has exacerbated the already worsening humanitarian crisis in the area and this will cause a humanitarian catastrophe," the Prime Minister said in a statement.

Badawi, who is also chairman of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) called on the international community to force the Zionists to lift the blockade immediately and end the sufferings of the people in Gaza.

Malaysia also called on United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon to hold an open-ended session of the UN Security Council to enable other UN members to participate in the debate on the grave situation in Gaza, he said.

Stressing that the Zionists' action contravened international law, Badawi said that the collective punishment of the innocent civilian population of Gaza is unacceptable under any circumstances.

Underlining the rights of the Palestinians of access to food, fuel and medicine, the prime minister said the inhumane action by the Zionists would make the living condition of the Palestinian people even more unbearable.