RAMALLAH, November 12, 2016 (WAFA) - United Nations Secretary-General-designate António Guterres said he is determined to work for the two-state solution and lasting peace in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, a press release said on Thursday.

Guterres said in a letter to Hanan Ashrawi, member of Palestine Liberation Organization Executive Committee, “that he is determined to working to achieve the two-state solution and a lasting peace,” according to the release published by Ashrawi’s office.

Ashrawi sent a congratulatory note to Guterres in which she commended the UN Secretary-General-designate for his "long years of service and commitment to issues of justice, human rights and global rule of law."

She also stressed that the UN Secretary-General-designate‘s new post "is timely and greatly needed."

In response, Guterres thanked Ashrawi for her letter and said he was looking forward to working and cooperating with Ashrawi to that end.

Guterres will succeed Ban Ki-moon as the next UN secretary-general at the start of next year.

M.A.