Arab FMs want Israel's complete Gaza withdrawal

CAIRO, Sept 11 (Xinhua/BBC): Foreign ministers (FMs) of Arab countries on Tuesday urged Israel's complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, including from the Philadelphi Corridor and the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing.
The ministers categorically rejected Israel's plans for "the day after its aggression" and its control over any part of Gaza, according to a resolution issued after the 162nd session of the Arab League (AL) Council at the ministerial level held in Egypt's Cairo.
In addition to officials from the United Nations and the European Union, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also attended the meeting, marking the first attendance of a top Turkish diplomat in an AL ministerial meeting in 13 years.
The Palestine-Egypt borders are sovereign ones that "should not be touched," the resolution said, stressing "the need to operate the Rafah crossing in accordance with the applicable rules, and to remove all obstacles to safe, sufficient and rapid humanitarian access through the crossing."
The Israeli army took control of the Philadelphi Corridor, a 100-meter-wide and 14-km-long buffer zone along the Egypt-Gaza border, and the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing in May, halting the entry of humanitarian aid trucks into Gaza.
On Sept. 2, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at a news conference that Israeli forces are "not going to withdraw" from the corridor, reiterating that keeping it under control is critical for preventing future weapons smuggling from Egypt to Gaza.
In the resolution, the ministers said Netanyahu's "allegations and lies" were "desperate attempts" to justify his refusal to withdraw from the corridor, obstruct mediation efforts by Egypt, Qatar and the United States, and distract attention from his government's provocative policies against the Palestinian people.
Meanwhile, the ministers called for confirming the illegality of Israel's continued presence in Gaza, ending its illegal presence there as soon as possible, and immediately dismantling all settlement activities, according to the resolution.
They also agreed to officially intervene to support the lawsuit filed by South Africa against Israel before the UN's principal judicial organ, the International Court of Justice, and urged the International Criminal Court to issue arrest warrants against Israeli leaders, who they believed have committed crimes falling within its jurisdiction, the resolution noted.
Dozens arrested after clashes at
Melbourne anti-war protest
Dozens of people have been arrested after clashing with police at an anti-war demonstration in Melbourne.
Police said they were "appalled" by the actions of some demonstrators targeting a military hardware sales show in Australia's second largest city, accusing them of pelting officers with rocks, manure and bottles filled with acid.
By contrast, protestors said officers were heavy-handed and responded with flashbang grenades and irritant sprays to control the hostile crowd.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the violence, saying Australians had a right to protest - but had to do so in a peaceful manner.
"You don't say you're opposed to defence equipment by throwing things at police," Mr Albanese told local media. "They've got a job to do and our police officers should be respected at all times."
Authorities said about 1,200 people had taken part in the demonstration targeting the Land Forces International Land Defence Exposition, many of whom sported Palestinian flags and sang pro-Palestinian chants.
Police had anticipated unrest ahead of the event, which is expected to draw over 1,000 corporations from 31 countries in the coming days. The expo, which is not open to the public, brings together military, defence, government, scientific and industry delegations from around the world.
Local media reported military artillery, trucks and semi-automatic weapons have been on display during the convention. Activists had said they were protesting as they claim many of the weapons on-show have been used by Israeli forces in Gaza.
Footage showed dumpsters being pushed towards police lines during the clashes, with multiple fires being lit across the city and demonstrators blocking roads. One activist climbed on top of a stationary truck at a set of traffic lights.
About two dozen police officers were treated for injuries sustained during the unrest, Victoria state Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said. He told reporters 39 people had been arrested in Wednesday's clashes.
Commissioner Patton accused those behind the violence of being "hypocrites", adding demonstrators said they wanted to "protest against war, so presumably [were] anti-violence".
But his officers have been criticised by demonstrators for being overly heavy-handed. Organisers said they were "appalled at the level of violence directed against community members protesting for peace".