Security Council to continue consultations on request for meeting on Middle East

Following a request from Arab countries to call an immediate open meeting on the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, members of the United Nations Security Council held closed-door consultations this morning and agreed to continue discussions on the matter.

Speaking to reporters after the adjournment of the consultations, the Council's current President, Ambassador James Cunningham of the United States, said the members "expressed their great concern with the continuing levels of violence and desire to do what's possible to promote a resumption of dialogue and to stabilize the situation."

"They agreed on the need to reflect on how to assist that process, and to consult on the timing of the meeting, and they agreed then to consult further on the request of the Arab Group members in that light," the Council President said. "So we haven't made a decision; it will be part of our ongoing discussions."

The request was communicated to the Council in a letter dated 16 May from the Permanent Observer of Palestine, Ambassador Nasser Al-Kidwa, in his capacity as the President of the Arab Group of States for the month of May.

The letter calls for an immediate Security Council meeting "to discuss the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, concerning the continuous escalation of repressive practices against the Palestinian population by Israel, the occupying power, in addition to its policy of premeditated assassinations."