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Spain calls for "immediate and impartial" probe by Israel

Other News Materials 1 June 2010 15:45 (UTC +04:00)
Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos, whose country holds the rotating European Union presidency, on Tuesday urged Israel to launch an "immediate, impartial and objective" investigation into a deadly raid on an aid flotilla heading for Gaza.
Spain calls for "immediate and impartial" probe by Israel

Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos, whose country holds the rotating European Union presidency, on Tuesday urged Israel to launch an "immediate, impartial and objective" investigation into a deadly raid on an aid flotilla heading for Gaza, DPA reported.

Acts such as the raid, which killed nine people on Monday, "cannot be repeated," said Moratinos, a former EU envoy to the Middle East.

"The international community has reacted firmly and condemned the disproportionate use of force," Moratinos said.

A "clear message" had been sent to Israel that it needed to open an immediate investigation, he explained.

The best way to prevent such events was to open the frontiers of Gaza, Moratinos said, also stressing the need for a "definitive solution" to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

"It is time for the international community and the parties (to the conflict) to realise that it is not possible to continue with this kind of situations, which end in drama, violence, death, desolation and frustration," the minister said.

Moratinos also said that his Israeli counterpart, Avigdor Lieberman, had called him to inform him about the reasons for Israel's military raid.

Spain holds the EU presidency until June 30.

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