Arab states condemn Gaza fuel cuts

Arab states became increasingly worried today about the worsening situation in Gaza following Israel's fuel cuts.

Lebanon and Syria called for an emergency Arab summit to discuss the Israeli blockade and military operations.

Syria's Foreign Ministry demanded "an immediate end to the collective punishment and Israeli crimes," saying Israel was violating "the simplest rules of human rights".

Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Saniora described Gaza developments as a serious escalation of Israel's "racial discrimination and blatant human rights violations against Palestinians, under the pretext of confronting Hamas".

Meanwhile in Iran, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Islamic and Arabic countries should urgently stop the "Zionists from continuing their crimes".

The hard-line leader called for an emergency meeting of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference.

Mr Ahmadinejad, in a phone conversation with the Qatari emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, said it was time for foreign ministers of Islamic and Arabic countries to come together to "restrict the Zionist regime".

In addition to the fuel cuts and blockade, Israel has also stepped up military operations in Gaza.

Since last Tuesday, more than 35 Gazans have been killed, including a son of Mahmoud Zahar, the most senior Hamas leader in Gaza.

In a statement issued by his office, Lebanon's Mr Saniora said the Israeli actions in Gaza were "racist and barbaric".

"It is not permissible under any pretext or justification to accept, or remain silent on the Israeli actions," he said.

Syria-based Palestinian groups also called on Arab countries to work toward ending Israel's siege of Gaza.

Ahmed Jibril, the head of the radical Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command, called Israeli actions "war crimes".

He said they would have dire consequences not only on the Palestinian people but also on pro-US Arab regimes.

"The coming days will witness a lot of unimaginable events ... in different places inside the Arab world and outside, to assist millions of Palestinians who are starving," he warned cryptically.

He said recent attacks in Iraq against US troops were an effort "to express anger over the siege in Gaza", adding that this might happen anywhere in the world.

Moussa Abu Marzouk, deputy head of Hamas' Syria-based political bureau, said the Israeli fuel cut-off was a "crime against humanity, contrary to all international laws".

In the Jordanian capital, a sit-in protest was being staged at the headquarters of the Islamic Action Front, Jordan's largest opposition group.

In Kuwait, the foreign ministry said it has asked the five permanent members of the UN Security Council to pressure Israel to lift the Gaza siege.

Concerns over Gaza were also raised in Europe, where the EU's external relations commissioner, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, said that while Europe fully understands Israel's need to defend its citizens, the closure of the border crossings and fuel cuts would "exacerbate an already dire humanitarian situation".