The Secretary-General met today with H.E. Ahmet Davutoglu, the Foreign Minister of Turkey, on the margins of the Fourth UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries. The Secretary-General thanked the Minister for Turkey's strong support for the conference and for LDCs.

They discussed the Cyprus question, Palestinian reconciliation and the Middle East peace process, and developments in Libya and elsewhere in the Middle East and North Africa.

On the Cyprus question, the Secretary-General and the Minister discussed the need for accelerated progress in the negotiations.

On the Palestinian reconciliation agreement between Fatah and Hamas, the Secretary-General reiterated that the United Nations had consistently supported Palestinian unity under the leadership of President Abbas and in the framework of the Arab Peace Initiative and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) commitments, consistent with the Quartet's position. The Secretary-General also reiterated that Palestinian unity is a process which is just beginning now, and should be assessed with time. The Secretary-General also said it was important to overcome the impasse in the negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians because further drifting served neither side.

On Libya, the Secretary-General and Minister agreed it was vital to secure an immediate and verifiable ceasefire, and find a political solution. The Secretary-General thanked the Minister for Turkey's efforts in seeking an end to the crisis in Libya. They agreed on the central role of the Secretary-General's Special Envoy in coordinating international efforts regarding Libya.

The two leaders also discussed the enduring partnership betweeen the United Nations and Turkey.