UN chief urges Arabs to back Mideast 'proximity' talks
Sunday, 28 March 2010
SIRTE, Libya, Mar 27 (AFP): UN chief Ban Ki-moon Saturday urged Arab leaders meeting in Libya to support US-led efforts to facilitate indirect "proximity" peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
"My message to you is that, whatever our concerns, there is no alternative to negotiations for a two-state solution," Ban said in an address at the opening session of the two-day annual Arab summit in Sirte, Libya.
"I urge you to support efforts to start proximity talks and direct negotiations. Our common goal should be to resolve all final status issues within 24 months," the UN secretary general said.
The summit, the first to be hosted by maverick Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi, is expected to focus on a common strategy against Israel over its plans to build settlements in annexed Arab east Jerusalem in defiance of world condemnation.
Efforts by the United States to broker indirect talks between Israel and the Palestinians have been stymied by the announcement this month by Israel of plans to build 1,600 new homes for Jewish settlers in annexed east Jerusalem.
The move condemned by the United States and its partners in the Middle East peace Quartet has infuriated the Arabs who days earlier had agreed to give peace talks a final chance.
Last week the Quartet -- the European Union, Russia, the United Nations and the United States -- met in Moscow and called on Israel to halt the settlements.
Meanwhile, Arab leaders opened their annual summit Saturday determined to send a clear message that the Middle East peace process is doomed unless Israel freezes settlements in mostly Arab east Jerusalem.
Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, who hosted last year's summit in Doha, addressed the opening session in the Mediterranean city of Sirte before handing over the presidency to Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi.
"My message to you is that, whatever our concerns, there is no alternative to negotiations for a two-state solution," Ban said in an address at the opening session of the two-day annual Arab summit in Sirte, Libya.
"I urge you to support efforts to start proximity talks and direct negotiations. Our common goal should be to resolve all final status issues within 24 months," the UN secretary general said.
The summit, the first to be hosted by maverick Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi, is expected to focus on a common strategy against Israel over its plans to build settlements in annexed Arab east Jerusalem in defiance of world condemnation.
Efforts by the United States to broker indirect talks between Israel and the Palestinians have been stymied by the announcement this month by Israel of plans to build 1,600 new homes for Jewish settlers in annexed east Jerusalem.
The move condemned by the United States and its partners in the Middle East peace Quartet has infuriated the Arabs who days earlier had agreed to give peace talks a final chance.
Last week the Quartet -- the European Union, Russia, the United Nations and the United States -- met in Moscow and called on Israel to halt the settlements.
Meanwhile, Arab leaders opened their annual summit Saturday determined to send a clear message that the Middle East peace process is doomed unless Israel freezes settlements in mostly Arab east Jerusalem.
Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, who hosted last year's summit in Doha, addressed the opening session in the Mediterranean city of Sirte before handing over the presidency to Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi.