UNITED NATIONS - The international community called on involved parties to hold negotiations to determine the status of Jerusalem after the United States on Monday vetoed a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) draft resolution.
The Egyptian Ambassador to the United Nations, Amr Abdellatif Aboulatta, said that the draft resolution sought to ensure that any attempts to alter the characteristics or demographic composition of the Old City of Jerusalem would have no effect, were null and void, and must be rescinded.
It also called on all parties not to establish diplomatic missions in Jerusalem.
The other 14 members of the Security Council voted in favor of the Egypt-drafted text but as the United States, a permanent member of the UNSC, has veto power, the draft resolution failed to be adopted.
In explaining the veto, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said it was the first U.S. veto in the Security Council in more than six years.
“We do it with no joy, but we do it with no reluctance,” she told the Security Council.
Despite the fact that the vote was 14-1, Haley said the veto was not a source of embarrassment for the United States. (Xinhua)