Israel complains to UN over Golan Heights

Israel has lodged a complaint with the UN after Syrian soldiers crossed last week into the demilitarised Golan Heights zone that separates the two countries. “Israel has formally complained to the UN as this is a serious incident. (This complaint) constitutes a very clear message that we address via the UN to those who control Syria,” said Lior Ben Dor. In a letter addressed to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and to the UN Security Council, Israel’s deputy ambassador to the UN Haim Waxman said Syria had violated a peace agreement by infiltrating the zone. This was a “blunt violation of this agreement,” he said, “with potentially far-reaching implications for the security and stability of the region.” “The Security Council should address this alarming development with great seriousness,” he said, adding that the incident took place the same day as an inspection of the Golan Heights by Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak. Israeli daily newspaper Haaretz reported that 500 Syrian soldiers and 50 vehicles had crossed into the zone. The Arab League’s ministerial committee on Syria brings together Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Sudan, Algeria, Iraq, Kuwait and Oman. The conflict in Syria is said to be spiralling out of control, with rebels locked in fierce battles against regime troops in the key cities of Aleppo and capital Damascus. Over 17,000 people are believed to have died in the 16 months of the pro-democracy uprising, according to activists.