UN chief urges continued focus on Middle East peace efforts

He called n the international community "to uphold its long-stated commitment" to realizing a comprehensive peace settlement

UN chief Ban Ki-moon has appealed to Israelis and Palestinians to "exercise prudence" and avoid "unilateral" steps that would lessen the prospects to resume negotiations after the latest downturn in the Middle East peace process.

Ban said it is "incumbent" upon the parties to convince each other "anew that they are partners for peace," according to a statement from his spokesperson here yesterday.

He called also on the international community "to uphold its long-stated commitment" to realizing a comprehensive peace settlement.

"The Secretary-General urges both Israelis and Palestinians to exercise prudence and avoid unilateral steps that would diminish the prospects for a resumption of negotiations and reach an agreement," the statement said.

Ban highlighted the Security Council debate on April 29, stating "now is the time for the international community and the parties alike to reflect on how to preserve the prospects for a two-state solution".

During the April UNSC meeting, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Robert Serry had warned the 15-member Council that the current "political stalemate" endangered what many see as perhaps the last chance to achieve the long-sought two-State solution.

Serry had said the deadline expired for the nine-months of direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians, held under the auspices of US Secretary of State John Kerry.

The talks had been ongoing since last August, resumed after the previous series of talks ended in September 2010 when Israel refused to extend its freeze on settlement activity in the occupied Palestinian territory.

"The Secretary-General appeals to all concerned to use this time constructively to find a meaningful path forward," his spokesperson noted.