PRESS STATEMENT ON MIDDLE EAST SITUATION BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

PRESS STATEMENT ON Middle East Situation BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

Following is this evening's press statement on the Middle East by Security Council President Sergey Lavrov (Russian Federation):

The members of the Security Council heard a briefing by the Under-Secretary-General, Kieran Prendergast, on the sending of the fact-finding team to Jenin.

The members of the Council remain firm in their insistence on full implementation of Security Council resolution 1405 (2002).  They are concerned at the continued delay in the arrival of the fact-finding team.  They strongly support the Secretary-General in his efforts to ensure the immediate deployment of the fact-finding team to Jenin with full cooperation of Israel and the Palestinian Authority.  They support, in particular, the Secretary-General’s letters to Ambassador Lancry and Ambassador Al-Kidwa of 27 April.

The members of the Council expect a positive report from the Secretary-General by 29 April. 

This position of the members of the Council has been conveyed to Ambassador Lancry today.

* *** *