NEW YORK, April 25, 2007 (WAFA) - UN Undersecretary-General for Political Affairs Lynn Pascoe on Wednesday warned that the recent diplomatic progress between Palestinians and Israelis is threatened by the worsening security situation on the ground.

In his monthly briefing to the Security Council on the situation in the Middle East, Pascoe said the "forward momentum we are witnessing on the political- diplomatic level is threatened by the deterioration security situation on the ground" by both parties.

"We are increasingly concerned that actions and inactions on the ground remain real obstacles to progress, and have the potential to lead to paralysis or even a rapid deterioration," he warned.

he said Israel must play its part to calm the situation, in particular with regard to the Israeli settler community and must ensure that measures for Israeli security are not at the expense of innocent Palestinians.

He said there are a number of "elements in play which, taken together, could generate forward movement, within the occupied Palestinian territory, between the PLO and Israel, and between Israel and the Arab world".

"The Secretary-General is committed to nurturing these elements, in close collaboration with his Quarter partners," he said.

A.D (23.45P) (20.45GMT)