UNITED NATIONS, July 21 (Xinhuanet) -- United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said here on Wednesday Israel should, as demanded by the UN General Assembly, comply with the ruling of the International Court of Justice to tear down its separation barrier in the West Bank.

    "They should heed and pay attention to the court's decision even though it is not enforceable. It has some moral bearing on what they do," Annan told a press conference.

    His appeal came one day after the 191-nation General Assembly adopted overwhelmingly a resolution demanding Israel comply with the world court non-binding ruling.

    The court, based in The Hague, the Netherlands, issued an "advisory opinion" on July 9 saying Israel's construction of the separation wall violates international law. It also stated that Israel should terminate the project and dismantle part of the wallwhich has been erected.

    Israel rejected both the ruling and the General Assembly resolution, vowing to continue building the wall which is called by Israelis as a "security fence" to prevent Palestinian militantsfrom infiltrating into Israel.

    Annan cited a ruling by the Israeli Supreme Court which asked the Israeli government to alter the route of the separation wall.

    "The Israeli court also came up with a decision on the route ofthe barrier, and asked them to change because of its impact on the Palestinians. So one cannot say the international court is entirely wrong," he said. Enditem