French PM Says UNESCO Resolution On Jerusalem 'Unfortunate'

PARIS (AFP) – French Prime Minister Manuel Valls on Wednesday described a UNESCO resolution on the flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem as “clumsy” and “unfortunate” and said it should have been avoided.

The Paris-based UN cultural body adopted the resolution on “Occupied Palestine” presented by several Arab countries in mid-April, referring several times to Israel as the “occupying power”.

“This UNESCO resolution contains unfortunate, clumsy wording that offends and unquestionably should have been avoided, as should the vote,” Valls told parliament.