MOSCOW, December 13. /TASS/. The United Arab Emirates is continuing its work in the UN Security Council on a resolution concerning Gaza, and Moscow fully supports these efforts, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said, addressing the Federation Council (upper house of parliament, or "senate").

"Our friends from the [United Arab] Emirates <...> are trying to earnestly agree on a resolution that would be in line with the Security Council’s authority and responsibility. We are certainly making active efforts to support this work. With no success so far, as there are a lot of judicial aspects that are being debated," he noted.

Lavrov pointed out that the West "finds it necessary to include some political assessments and condemn Hamas" in any resolution aimed at taking specific steps to save civilian lives. However, when Western countries get asked to condemn Israel as well, all they will say is that it has the right to self-defense.

"In response, developing countries cite the International Court’s decision, which is still in effect, stating that occupying powers do not have the right to self-defense against the occupied territory," Lavrov stressed. That said, there is a legal conflict in assessing the situation, he concluded.