End violations against Lebanese and Palestinian people, Israel told

The Second South Summit of the G77 and China ended here yesterday with a call to the United States to put an end to unilateral sanctions against Syria and Cuba.

The summit also called on Israel to end air violations of Lebanese sovereignty, and reaffirmed the right of the Palestinian people to establish their independent State with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Heads of States and governments from across the developing world endorsed the Doha Declaration at the end of a five-day meeting aimed to re-launch development plans for the South of the world.

The declaration firmly rejects all forms of coercive economic measures, including unilateral sanctions against developing countries that it said would undermine the principles of the UN charter and threaten freedom of trade and investment.

"We express deep concern over the economic and social impact against Syrian people of unilateral sanctions against Syria and call upon the United States to null and void the so called Syria Accountability Act and to resort to dialogue," the declaration stated.

The document also warned Israel to abide by the international law and end violations against the Lebanese and Palestinian people.

"We reaffirm the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, including the right to establish their independent State of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital … Israel's unlawful practices in colonising Palestinian land … constitute breaches of the international law," said the document.

"We support the inalienable right of Lebanon to utilise its waters in accordance with the international law … we call on Israel to end its air violations of Lebanese sovereignty and other violation that severely damage the security situation which is a critical factor in promoting tourism and economy."

The declaration called upon the Government of the United States to put an end to the economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba, which in addition to being unilateral and contrary to the UN charter and international law, causes huge material losses and economic danger to its people, it said.

With over 60 clauses, the document reaffirmed that the principles of multilateralism, dialogue among civilisations, good governance and the rule of law are the bases for security, economic growth and sustainable development.

It also endorsed the Doha Plan of Action defining plans to overcome the North-South technological gap, identifying development strategies and innovative sources of financing for development of national productive capacities.

The declaration called for debt relief to all developing countries and a comprehensive reform of the United Nations institutions that would impact development.

"Our Doha Plan of Action for 2005 outlines the critical need to ensure that in the reform process of the United Nations development is given high priority," said P.J. Patterson, Prime Minister of Jamaica addressing delegates.