UNITED NATIONS, Oct 6: Pakistan called on the UN Security Council on Sunday to condemn Israeli military aggression against Syria and uphold the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic.

Addressing the emergency session of the Council following a formal complaint by Syria, Mr Munir Akram, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UN, said: “This was an arbitrary act, in legal and political terms. It is clearly a violation of the United Nations Charter. It is also a violation of the several resolutions which the Security Council has adopted on the issue of peace in the Middle East such as resolutions 242, 338, 1397 and others.”

Saying that “the attack perpetrated by Israel against the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic was in clear violation of the UN Charter,” Mr Akram stressed that the UN Charter “prescribes strict rules for the use of force by member states and this is envisaged only in two circumstances. Firstly, in the right of self-defence, against a direct act of aggression or use of force. Secondly, through the collective use of force under article 42 of the United Nations Charter with the explicit authorization of the Security Council.”

Mr Akram pointed out that “the problems which Israel faces are problems which arise from its illegal occupation of Palestinian and other Arab territories.”

He added: “The answer to individual acts of terrorism is not state terrorism. Nor is it wanton attacks against other countries in violation of international law and the UN Charter. We must distinguish between acts of terrorism and the legitimate struggle of peoples under foreign occupation for self-determination and liberation.”

Mr Akram said: “The Security Council must commend Syria’s self-restraint and condemn the Israeli attack against Syrian territory.”