UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon has underscored the importance of overcoming the current impasse in negotiations between Israel and Palestinians as the Middle East peace process remains at a stand still.
The statement came during Ban's telephone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, according to a readout of the call issued by UN spokesperson's office. Ban said he was "convinced that realizing a negotiated two- state solution as soon as possible is in the best interest of both the Israeli and Palestinian people." Ban said he hoped that Israel will make decisive moves towards a historic agreement with the Palestinians.
The peace negotiations are at a standstill as Palestinian leaders ended US-brokered direct talks with Israel in September last year following Israel's refusal to extend a moratorium on settlement construction. Meanwhile, the secretary-general discussed the implications of the recent reconciliation agreement between rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas, noting that "Palestinian unity is a process which is just beginning now, and thus, it would be best to assess it as it moves forward."
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