NEW YORK, December 17, 2008 (WAFA)- The United Nations Security Council adopted, Tuesday, resolution 1850 (2008) that declared the negotiations set out in Annapolis, November 2007 “irreversible” and calls on the Palestinians and the Israelis to fulfill their obligations under the Roadmap and to refrain from steps that could undermine confidence or prejudice the outcome of the negotiations

Reaffirming its support for the agreements and negotiations resulting from the 2007 Middle East summit in the US city of Annapolis, Maryland, the UN Security Council called on the parties, regional States, and other States and international organizations this morning to intensify their efforts to achieve the Two-State solution to the Palestinian- Israeli conflict, as well as peaceful coexistence among all States in the region.

Adopting resolution 1850 (2008) by a vote of 14 to 0, with Libya abstaining, at the end of a meeting in which four permanent members were represented by ministerial and other high-level officials, the Council declared its commitment to the irreversibility of the ongoing bilateral negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis, and supported “their determined efforts to reach their goal of concluding a peace treaty resolving all outstanding issues…”.

Toward that end, the Council called on both parties to fulfill their obligations under the Road Map and to refrain from steps that could undermine confidence or prejudice the outcome of the negotiations.  It called on States and international organizations to contribute to an atmosphere conducive to negotiations and assist the Palestinian National Authority.  At the same time, it urged intensified diplomatic efforts to foster “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”.

The Council welcomed consideration by the Middle East Diplomatic Quartet, the United Nations, United States, European Union and Russian Federation, in consultation with the parties, of an international meeting in Moscow in 2009.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon asked the Council to act to help “set us firmly, finally and irreversibly on the path to peace in the Middle East” by passing the resolution, acknowledging that after the Annapolis summit, it had been hoped that by now the world would be marking the conclusion of a peace agreement and turning to implementation.  “We all regret this is not the case.  And we know we still face many hurdles.  But a serious process is under way.  We must ensure that what has been started is seen all the way through to its conclusion.”

Following Mr. Ban’s remarks, most Council members welcomed the draft resolution, with many stressing the need to maintain the momentum of the Annapolis summit, and others noting that the Council had not acted on the Middle East for nearly five years.

Libya’s representative, however, said Council action had been sparse over the past 60 years, noting that when the 15-member body had pronounced itself, its words had not been translated into deeds. The text contained deliberate ambiguity and did not confront breaches of illegality, which did not serve peace as much as harm it.  The aggressor could interpret such texts as acceptance of its practices, and the victim could see them as proof that the international community was biased, thereby promoting further despair and frustration.

The situation in the region since the launch of the Annapolis process had deteriorated further, he said, urging the Council to move quickly to protect civilians facing collective punishment, which constituted a crime against humanity.  The minimum conditions conducive to a just solution required a condemnation of such Israeli practices and ending them.

The Council then adopted the draft resolution by 14 in favor to none against, with 1 abstention by Libya, as resolution 1850 (2008).