United Nations: The UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to demand that Israel comply with the decision of the International Court of Justice and tear down the security barrier it is constructing on Palestinian territory in the West Bank.

India joined 149 other member States in voting for the resolution that was opposed by six nations, including the US which had earlier asserted that it was one sided and could adversely affect the peace process. There were ten abstentions in the 191-member Assembly.

A major boost for the Palestinians was that all 25 members of the European Union voted for the resolution after Arabs accepted amendments suggested by it during negotiations lasting several days.

As a result, the resolution adopted last night also calls on both Israel and Palestinians to immediately implement their obligations under the road map proposed by the international Quartet.

The court, as well as the resolution, demand that the barrier be dismantled and reparations be paid to Palestinians harmed by its construction.

The road map, proposed by Quartet comprising the United States, European Union, Russia and the United Nations Secretary-General, lists a number of reciprocal steps that the two sides must take to achieve the aim of two States of Palestine and Israel living side by side in peace. But the continuing conflict has derailed the proposals.

Voting against the resolution, Israel denounced it as "one-sided and totally counterproductive."