Cairo, Aug. 12 (Petra) -- Arab Parliament (AP) Speaker Mohammed al-Yamahi "strongly" condemned Colombia's declaration to recognize Israeli occupation sovereignty over the occupied Syrian Golan.

In a statement Wednesday, Yamahi said the move constitutes a "blatant" violation of international law and an "unacceptable" disregard for resolutions of international legitimacy.

He said the step is a rejected attempt to grant political cover to an illegal reality, imposed by force of occupation.

The statement warned: "Such positions would undermine respect for international law and set a dangerous precedent in dealing with territories under occupation, which has negative repercussions on efforts to achieve peace, security and stability in the region." Yamahi urged the Colombian government to reconsider and immediately reverse its position, and commit to the principles of international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.

He reiterated the Arab Parliament's "firm" position, which wiews Golan as an occupied Syrian Arab land.

Unilateral position or declaration by any state can't alter legal status or infringe on the established rights of the Syrian Arab Republic over Golan Heights. Occupation cannot serve as a basis for acquiring sovereignty or establishing legal rights over territory seized by force, he pointed out.

Yamahi added that UN Security Council Resolution 497 of 1981 represents a "clear" international reference on the legal status of the occupied Syrian Golan.

//Petra// NQ