PM flays Gaza violence,calls for peace

Nearly 600 people have lost their lives in the ongoing conflict in which Israel artillery,backed by its air force,has been pounding the Gaza strip for the past 11 days in retaliation to the continuing rocket attack by Hamas cadre.

India has strongly condemned these incidents and it is our hope that the international community will get together and help restore peace in the region as soon as possible, said the PM,amid reports about difference of opinion among world leaders regarding diffusing the present crisis.

Incidentally,while India is the first non-Arab nation to recognise the Palestine Liberation Organisation as the sole representative of the Palestinians,and has officially extended consistent and unwavering support to the Palestinian issue,it is also the biggest importer of Israeli military hardware,including urban warfare equipment,unmanned aerial vehicles,Phalcon air-borne warning and control systems.

The Prime Minister also laid foundation stone for what would be the longest elevated corridor in the country at 18 km,connecting Chennai port with NH-4 at Maduravoyal,on Thursday in the presence of Chief Minister M Karunanidhi and Union Minister for Road Transport and Shipping,T R Baalu.