Palestinian court complex opens under UN development scheme

The Palestinian Authority has opened a new court building in the West Bank city of Nablus, constructed under a scheme run by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The complex houses two courts - the magistrate court for the Nablus area and the primary court for the West Bank's northern governorates, the UNDP said today in a statement.

The building - paid for thanks to a $2.5 million contribution from Japan - was constructed through the UNDP's Programme of Assistance for the Palestinian People. The UNDP has gathered about $13 million since July 2002 to support several projects in the Palestinian territories.

Timothy Rothermel, Special Representative of UNDP's Palestinian programme, said the Nablus court building would serve as a model for other construction projects.

"Nablus is not only the largest city in the West Bank…it is also the oldest cradle of civilization in the territories. It is only fitting, therefore, that this new structure is located in Nablus," he said.