Resolution on Israel prompts U.S. veto

UNITED NATIONS - The United States vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution Thursday condemning Israel's assassination of Hamas leader Ahmed Yassin.

The United States had demanded that the resolution clearly condemn violence by Hamas and other militant groups. Algeria, the resolution's sponsor, had resisted identifying the groups by name.

"This Security Council does nothing to contribute to a peaceful settlement when it condemns one party's actions and turns a blind eye to everything else occurring in the region," U.S. Ambassador John Negroponte said before the vote.

The vote was 11 countries in favor, three countries abstaining, and the United States against.

Yassin, the spiritual leader of Hamas, was killed in a missile strike Monday morning in the Gaza Strip. Israel has warned that all other leaders of the group could be targeted.

"Israeli policies are not part of the battle against international terrorism; it's part of the problem of creating terrorism," said Nasser al-Kidwa, the Palestinian representative.

Negroponte said the United States, too, was "deeply troubled" by the killing of Yassin.

"Israel's action has escalated tensions in Gaza and the region, and could set back our effort to resume progress toward peace," he said.

However, he noted the resolution failed to mention recent attacks by Hamas.

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