UN Committed to Supporting Palestinians & Israelis to Resolve Conflict - UN Chief

Remarks by António Guterres (UN Secretary-General) on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question - 8717th Security Council Meeting. UN chief Antonio Guterres said this was a time for “dialogue, for reconciliation, and for reason,” and urged Israeli and Palestinian leaders to “demonstrate the necessary will required to advance the goal of a just and lasting peace.” Addressing the Security Council today (11 Feb), in the presence of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, the Secretary-General said the UN’s position on the Middle East peace process has been defined by resolutions of the Security Council and General Assembly, by which the Secretariat is bound. He added that the UN remains committed to supporting Palestinians and Israelis to resolve the conflict on the basis of relevant UN resolutions, international law and bilateral agreements and “realizing the vision of two States – Israel and Palestine – living side by side in peace and security with recognized borders, on the basis of the pre-1967 lines.”