PRESS STATEMENT ON MIDDLE EAST BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

PRESS STATEMENT ON MIDDLE EAST BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

Following is the press statement on the Middle East delivered by Security Council President Sergey Lavrov (Russian Federation):

Having heard and discussed the briefing by Under-Secretary-General Kieran Prendergast on the situation in the Middle East, the Members of the Security Council expressed their serious concern at continuing and increasing violence in the region.

The Members of the Security Council supported the Quartet “Roadmap to a Permanent Two-State Solution to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict” (document S/2003/529).  They called on the parties to fulfil their obligations in order to achieve the vision of two democratic States -– Israel and Palestine -– living side by side in peace and security.  They also reiterated the demand for an immediate cessation of all acts of violence, including all acts of terror, provocation, incitement and destruction.

The Members of the Security Council reconfirmed the importance of, and the need to achieve, a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East including the Israeli-Syrian and Israeli-Lebanese tracks.

The Members of the Security Council are looking forward to the forthcoming meeting of Quartet’s Principals in Amman on 22 June and supported the statement of the Secretary-General in this regard.

* *** *