United Nations Radio

There have been positive, though fragile developments in the Middle East this month.

That's the assessment of a senior United Nations official dealing with political affairs.

Lisa Buttenheim told the UN Security Council Friday that among these developments is the ceasefire in Gaza which she says needs to be sustained and built upon.

But she says to turn such fragile but real opportunities into genuine progress, bilateral negotiations need to find common ground on the core issues:

"Measures to support the Palestinian Authority and economy in the West Bank must be intensified, including by donors fulfilling pledges for budgetary support and by Israel ending closure. Road map obligations need to be acted upon, particularly an Israeli freeze."

Ms. Buttenheim says Palestinian efforts on security need to be respected by all concerned and to be supported with improved socio-economic conditions.

She reiterated the UN's condemnation of all deliberate or indiscriminate attacks on civilians and crossings.

And she says the current calm in Gaza needs to be respected by all concerned.

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.

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