New York(DPA) : The United Nations Friday gave its support to the Middle East peace conference in Annapolis, Maryland, earlier in the week, saying it provides a “clear way forward” to ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The UN Security Council was considering a resolution to endorse activities, including bilateral negotiations to implement the so-called road map, which ultimately aims to create a Palestinian state living in peace next to Israel.
US President George W. Bush on Tuesday brokered a deal between the Israelis and Palestinians at the conference in Annapolis to resume negotiation for the first time in seven years with the goal of reaching a deal by the end of 2008.
“We come away from Annapolis with a clear way forward,” said UN Undersecretary General for Political Affairs B. Lynn Pascoe, who attended the conference with Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
Pascoe said Ban had pledged the support of the “UN family” toward renewed efforts to diplomatically end the conflict.
“For 60 years the Israeli state has feared for its survival and the survival of its people,” Pascoe said in an address to an open meeting of the 15-nation council. “For 60 years the Palestinian people have wandered and suffered in search of a state.”
“It is time for the Palestinians to have a home of their own,” he said. “It is time for the Israelis to feel at peace in their home. The time to act is now. Let us go forward and each play our part.”
A draft resolution was submitted for adoption by the council, calling on it to “endorse the programme of action for negotiations and implementation of outstanding obligations pursuant to the roadmap agreed upon by the Israeli and Palestinian leadership.”