United Nations Radio

The UN Security Council Tuesday declared its support for the negotiations initiated at Annapolis, Maryland, last year and its commitment to the irreversibility of bilateral Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.

Security Council meeting

In a resolution adopted by 14 votes in favor with one abstention-Libya, the council supports the parties -Israel and the Palestinians' determined efforts to reach their goal of concluding a peace treaty resolving all outstanding issues.
The resolution urges an intensification of diplomatic efforts to foster, in parallel with progress in the bilateral process, mutual recognition and peaceful coexistence between all States in the region in the context of achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East.
US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice says the United States has a national interest I the conclusion of a final treaty.

US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice

"And it is in the long-term interest of Israel to provide a more hopeful society for Palestinians. The establishment of the state of Palestine is long overdue and there should be an end to the occupation that began in 1967."

Secretary of State Rice says there is no substitute for the Annapolis process, and stagnation is not an option.

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.

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