GA President stresses two-State solution to Middle East conflict during Fourth Cttee meeting – UN news item (excerpts)

General Assembly President stresses two states solution to Middle East conflict

4 November 2011 – The President of the General Assembly, Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, today said that the United Nations body should continue working for a “just and comprehensive negotiated peace settlement” in the Middle East that will result in two viable sovereign States – Israel and Palestine – coexisting peacefully.

“This issue always requires dedication, flexibility and cooperation,” Mr. Al-Nasser said when he addressed the Assembly’s Special Political and Decolonization Committee. “The work of the Committee on this difficult topic is very important to the overall process.”

Stressing the important role played by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Mr. Al-Nasser urged Member States to continue making financial contributions to the agency to enable it continue its valuable work.

“For the current biennium year in 2011, the UNRWA mission on the ground is challenged by the recurrent global financial crisis. The agency, which relies almost entirely on voluntary contributions, has been warned that many of its traditional donors will not be able to step in because of budget constraints.”

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