UN told to act on Israeli barrier

Israel say it plans to continue building the barrier

Arab nations have called on the UN to take action to ensure Israel's West Bank barrier is torn down.

The UN General Assembly is likely to meet next week to debate the world court's ruling that the barrier is illegal and should be dismantled.

Israel has said it will ignore the non-binding ruling and is counting on the US to block any action by the UN.

Israel insists the barrier is needed to prevent suicide bombings. Palestinians consider it a land grab.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague on Friday ruled that the barrier Israel is building, parts of which encroach on occupied territory, cannot be justified by Israeli security concerns.

The construction of the wall is contrary to international law ICJ ruling: Key points ICJ ruling: Full text (ICJ website) Guide to World Court

It said the barrier infringes the Palestinians' access to schools, hospitals and work and said Israel should pay compensation to those affected.

Arab governments have welcomed the ruling, which comes from the UN's highest court.

Lebanese President Emile Lahoud said the UN must "take its historic responsibility by rejecting the illegitimacy of the barrier and working to achieve peace and stability in the region".

Outgoing Egyptian Foreign Minster Ahmed Maher said Cairo "hopes that the international community will assume its responsibilities through UN mechanisms".

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said: "Those who are concerned to see law prevailing in international relations would consider this ruling historic".

Israel rejects ruling

Arab governments are likely to seek an emergency session of the General Assembly next week to try to secure a resolution endorsing the court's decision.

Guide to the route and structure of the West Bank barrier

At-a-glance

The assembly has no power to force countries to act on its recommendations, but the issue could then go to the Security Council which theoretically has the power to impose economic sanctions.

But observers say Security Council action is unlikely - not least because the US has the power of veto.

The US, which usually vetoes anti-Israeli resolutions, has already spoken out against the ICJ ruling.

Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said he had asked US officials to prevent any UN resolution.

Israel has insisted it will go ahead with construction of the barrier.

"We cannot accept decisions made in the Hague when in Jerusalem buses explode," said Israeli Justice Minister Tommy Lapid.

"We have to defend ourselves, and the fence is a defence measure which hurts nobody... nobody can advise us not to save the lives of Israeli women and children."

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat described the ICJ ruling as a "victory for the Palestinian people".