Egypt welcomes Britain's decision to impose trade restrictions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank

Cairo, Sept 8 (KUNA) – Egypt welcomed on Tuesday Britain’s decision to impose a new set of trade restrictions on illegal Israeli settlement outposts in the occupied West Bank, affirming that the move reflects a commitment to the provisions of international law and resolutions of the UN Security Council. In a statement, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the continued expansion of settlements undermines the territorial integrity of Palestinian lands and the possibility of establishing an independent, viable Palestinian state. It added that achieving a just and lasting peace requires ending the occupation and realizing an independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions. Egypt expressed its support for the joint statement issued by the foreign ministers of 12 countries on safeguarding the two-state solution, which included a direction to take national and European measures to restrict trade in goods with illegal settlement outposts, and to demand an immediate halt to settlement expansion and accountability for those responsible for violence by settlers. It also praised the growing international efforts to translate opposition to settlement into practical and tangible actions, calling on all countries to take similar steps. Earlier, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband announced the imposition of a new set of trade restrictions on illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, amid escalating violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers and plans to build more illegal settlements. (End) M.M. / F.S.