Ban Urges Arab Leaders To Support Talks

Secretary-General Urges Arab Leaders To Support Middle East Talks

New York, Mar 27 2010 9:10AM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on leaders gathered at the Arab League Summit in Libya to support indirect negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians with a common aim of resolving all final issues within 24 months.

"There is no alternative to negotiations for a two-State solution," the Secretary-General said today in his address in the city of Sirte.

Noting his visit to the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel last weekend after the Quartet meeting in Moscow, Mr. Ban told the Summit, "For the United Nations, Gaza is a priority."

"The closure is wrong and must end," he added calling the current situation "unacceptable and unsustainable."

Calling for an end to the 1967 occupation, Mr. Ban reiterated his condemnation of settlement activity in East Jerusalem, describing the settlements as "illegal."

He noted his determination to follow up on the strong position
s taken by the Quartet in Moscow, saying "we support the intense, ongoing diplomacy of the United States to overcome the current crisis of trust."

He added that while in Gaza, he called publicly for non-violence, a prisoner exchange and Palestinian unity, and singled out Egypt for "its important efforts for Palestinian reconciliation."

Turning to the broader region, the Secretary-General said that while he was encouraged by the improvement in relations between Lebanon and Syria, but was concerned about the escalation in rhetoric and tension and called for the implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions, particularly the 2006 text that calls for an end to hostilities between Hizbollah and Israel.

The Secretary-General also called on the international community to support the new Government in Iraq.

He noted that Sudan will hold elections next month and referenda next year, and thanked Qatar for its efforts to settle the conflict in the Darfur region.

Calling the A
rab League "a trusted partner of the United Nations," the Secretary-General highlighted the progress made in Arab countries on development, climate change and women''s issues, but stressed that more could be done.

"Only when women can reach their full potential will we achieve our common prosperity. The daughters of the region have every bit as much to offer as the sons."

While in Libya Mr. Ban is also holding a series of bilateral meetings with leaders from across the region.

ENDS

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