UNITED NATIONS, July 13 (Xinhuanet) -- The United Nations General Assembly will hold an emergency special session on Friday to examine the world court's ruling on Israel's separation barrier in the West Bank, an assembl y spokeswoman said on Tuesday.

    The meeting was called at the request of Arab nations and the Non-Aligned Movement, Michele Montas told reporters.

    Last Friday the International Court of Justice (ICJ), based in The Hague, Netherlands, stated in a sharply-worded opinion that Israel's building of a wall in the occupied Palestinian territory violates international law.

    The non-binding ruling said that construction must stop immediately and Israel should make reparations for any damage caused. It also suggested that the 191-nation assembly and the Security Council should consider what steps to take to bring to anend the illegal situation created by the wall.

    Palestinian permanent observer to the United Nations Nasser al-Kidwa said on Monday that the Palestinians would first push the assembly to act on the court's ruling before raising it with the 15-nation Security Council.

    To be debated at Friday's emergency session is a Palestinian-drafted resolution, which demands Israel comply with the world court's advisory opinion.

    Diplomats said it is fairly easy for the Palestinians to get the draft adopted by the assembly, but the measure would be undoubtedly blocked by Israel's closest ally, the United States, at the Security Council.

    In October last year, the United States vetoed a draft council resolution condemning Israel for building the 600-km barrier which in some sections runs deep into the West Bank. After the setback, the Palestinians turned to the assembly.

    The assembly passed the resolution denouncing Israel in Octoberand then asked the ICJ in December to rule whether the barrier is illegal.

    Unlike resolutions adopted by the Security Council, those passed by the General Assembly are non-binding. They only represent the mainstream of the world opinion and carry moral weight.

    But the Israeli government has dismissed the court's opinion and said it would not comply with the ruling. It also asked the United States to prevent the Security Council from adopting any resolution pressing it to tear down the security fence. Enditem