A UN official says Israeli settlement activities 'unhelpful' to peace

Thursday December 13, 2007 14:31 by Rami Almeghari - IMEMC

Special representative of United Nations Secretary General, Robert Cherie, said Thursday that underway Israeli settlement plans are ' unhelpful' to peace-making efforts.

UN Flag

Cherie's remarks came on the sideline of a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank city Of Ramallah.

The UN official, who was briefed by Abbas on latest developments, called on all parties concerned including Israel to work together for the best of a Palestinian state, living side by side with Israel in peace.

He stressed on the need that parties adhere to what has been agreed upon during last month's Washington-sponsored Annapolis peace conference.

Such remarks came one day after both Palestinian and Israeli negotiators kicked off yesterday their first round of talks since the Annapolis meet has been launched in November27.

Israel has recently re-announced a bid for building a new settlement in the disputed occupied city of east Jerusalem. Washington has repeatedly demanded Israel to halt settlements construction on occupied Palestinian territories.

ramallah | peace process | news report rami at imemc dot org