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Israel to continue to act only in its interest: Livni

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-01-09 16:35

JERUSALEM -- Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said that Israel will continue to act only in its own interest, local news service Ynet reported Friday.

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Livni's words came hours after the UN Security Council passed a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

"Israel has acted, is acting, and will continue to act only according to its calculations, in the interest of the security of its citizens and its right to self defense," said the foreign minister.

Israeli Vice Premier Minister Eli Yishai was quoted as saying that "The world has turned into Hamas' lobbyist. It's no matter for concern if this resolution stays on paper, our interest is all that matters."

Israel has shown a certain level of apathy to the resolution, and Hamas has also stated it is not bound by and will not accept the decision, said Ynet.

Meanwhile, the limited cabinet including Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Livni, convened Friday morning to decide whether Operation Cast Lead should be expanded, or if fire should be held, said Ynet.

The cabinet may also be convened again later Friday, it added.

The UN Security Council on Thursday adopted Resolution 1860 calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza "leading to the full withdrawal of Israeli forces."

The 15-nation council approved the resolution with 14 voting in favor. The United States abstained.

The council took the move after Arab and Western foreign ministers agreed on an amended version of a Britain-drafted resolution. It came on the 13th day of Israel Defense Forces Cast Lead Operation in Gaza in which more than 700 Palestinians have died.