UNITED NATIONS, September 28.— During the final day of general debate at the 64th session of the UN General Assembly, the international community reiterated its call to lift the unjust blockade imposed by the United States on Cuba for almost 50 years.

Pakalitha Bethuel Mosisili, prime minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho, called for "an end to the unfortunate financial and economic blockade imposed on the island, as a question of principle and a matter of urgency."

For his part, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit referred to the final declarations adopted at the 15th Non-Aligned Movement Summit in his country, including "the second declaration is on the need to end the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States on Cuba."

Likewise, Thongloun Sisoulith, deputy prime minister and foreign minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic expressed his concern over the measure. "It is time to put an end to this sanction," he maintained.

Similarly, Carlos Gomes Junior, prime minister of Guinea Bissau, hopes "that there will be a change in the blockade policy as soon as possible."

Marco Hausiku, the Namibian foreign minister, stated that the blockade undermines the international community’s efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, given that it affects the economy on account of its extraterritorial nature, which prevents free trade and the island’s economic development.

"My delegation wishes to reiterate its historic position in relation to the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed on Cuba: we believe that it constitutes a violation of international law and the right of the Cuban people," he affirmed.

"We call on the government of the United States to listen to the demand of the international community and implement the resolutions of the General Assembly calling for an end to the blockade," he added.

The Namibian foreign minister also reaffirmed the solidarity and support of his government "in relation to Cuba’s call for the immediate release of the five Cubans imprisoned in the United States."

Meanwhile, his counterpart in the Syrian Arab Republic, Walid Al-Moualem, stated that his nation "also renews its call to lift the blockade that has been imposed on Cuba for almost half a century."

Wilfred Elrington, attorney general and foreign minister of Belize, joined his peers by expressing his hope for signs of a change of focus that would allow the full integration of countries such as Cuba. "For this integration to take place, we must urgently call for efforts to put an end to the anachronistic blockade of Cuba."

This Monday’s sessions brought to a close five days of speeches by more than 100 heads of state and government, foreign ministers and high-ranking representatives who traveled to that venue to similarly attend a summit on climate change convened by the UN, stated PL.

For the 18th consecutive year, the Assembly’s working agenda includes the voting on October 28 on a report drawn up by the island entitled, "The need to put an end to the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States on Cuba."

Since 1991, the U.S. blockade has received increasing condemnation on the part of UN members, with a vote against it last year by 185 states, the highest number recorded to date. (SE)