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Security Council voices support for international task force on Palestinian reform

Security Council voices support for international task force on Palestinian reform

Members of the United Nations Security Council today voiced their support for a meeting in Paris of an international task force dealing with the reform of the Palestinian Authority.

The Council President, Ambassador John Negroponte of the United States, said in a press statement that members looked forward to the results of the International Task Force on Palestinian Reform, which is holding meetings today and tomorrow.

Meanwhile Council members commended the parties for their recent agreement on Bethlehem and Gaza, and encouraged them to continue to build on this positive development, Ambassador Negroponte said. They also urged respect for the so-called Blue Line between Lebanon and Israel.

Council members also expressed concern about the humanitarian situation in Palestinian areas and supported for the work of Catherine Bertini, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Personal Humanitarian Envoy, Ambassador Negroponte said.

Earlier Thursday, in its monthly review of the situation in the Middle East, the Council heard a briefing on the latest developments in the region by UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Danilo Türk.