Security Council members urge implementation of latest resolution on Middle East

Members of the Security Council have urged the full implementation of their latest resolution on the Middle East, its President said in a press statement released today.

The statement, delivered following consultations on Friday evening, refers to resolution 1435. Adopted early Tuesday morning, that text demanded that Israel immediately cease measures in and around Ramallah, including the destruction of Palestinian civilian and security infrastructure. It also demanded the "expeditious withdrawal of the Israeli occupying forces from Palestinian cities towards the return to the positions held prior to September 2000." In addition, it called for a halt to violence, "including all acts of terror, provocation, incitement and destruction."

The resolution also called on the Palestinian Authority to meet its expressed commitment to bring to justice those responsible for terrorist acts, and backed efforts of the diplomatic Quartet - the United Nations, European Union, Russian Federation and United States - which two weeks ago outlined a roadmap for achieving a final settlement of the conflict in three years.

Meanwhile in the region, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Terje Roed-Larsen, was with Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat yesterday as Israel lifted the siege. Speaking to reporters, the envoy emphasized the need to use that development as a springboard towards fulfilling the rest of resolution 1435.