NEW YORK, December 17, 2008 (WAFA)- The United Nations Security Council called on the Palestinians and the Israelis to fulfill their obligations under the Roadmap peace plan seeking a Two-State solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and to refrain from any steps that could undermine confidence or prejudice the outcome of negotiations.

“Lasting peace can only be based on an enduring commitment to mutual recognition, freedom from violence, incitement, and terror, and the two-State solution, building upon previous agreements and obligations,” according to the joint Russian-United States resolution, adopted by 14 of the Council’s 15 members with only Libya abstaining.

It called on all States and international organizations to contribute to an atmosphere conducive to negotiations and “to support the Palestinian Government that is committed to the Quartet principles and the Arab Peace Initiative in Beirut 2002 and respects the commitments of the Palestinian Liberation Organization.”

The Quartet, is championing the Roadmap, which calls for two States, Palestine and Israeli, to live side by side in peace, justice and security. The Arab Peace Initiative, adopted in March 2002 on the principle of land for peace, calls for Israel to withdraw from all Arab lands occupied since 1967, recognize an independent Palestinian State and provide a just solution for Palestinian refugees, in return for which Arab countries would recognize Israel, end their conflict and normalize relations.

The Palestinian National Authority is committed to the Quartet principles, while Hamas, which illegally seized control of the Gaza Strip in 2006, does not recognize Israel’s right to exist.

Tuesday’s resolution noted the importance of the 2002 Arab Initiative and urged “an intensification of diplomatic efforts to foster in parallel with progress in the bilateral process mutual recognition and peaceful coexistence between all States in the region in the context of achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East.”

It also called on all States and international organizations to assist in the development of the Palestinian economy, to maximize the resources available to the Palestinian National Authority, and to contribute to the Palestinian institution-building program in preparation for statehood.

“We know we still face many hurdles,” UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the Council at the start of Tuesday’s session. “But a serious process is underway. We must ensure that what has been started is seen all the way through to its conclusion.”

Mr. Ban had hosted, Monday a high-level Quartet meeting in which the four partners called for an intensification of the negotiations, urging both sides to take the necessary steps to reach peace.

Meanwhile, the office of the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO) reported that the movement of goods into the Gaza Strip at the crossing points was limited, Tuesday, as crossings closed earlier than scheduled.

A total of 49 truckloads, including 17 for humanitarian aid agencies, were allowed entry into Gaza, Tuesday. Limited fuel was supplied from Israel to the Gaza power plant, meaning that some power was able to be supplied to Gaza city, reducing power cuts, UNSCO added.