DAMASCUS, Syria, April 1 (UPI) -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says solving the conflict between Arabs and Israelis is critical for any kind of peace and stability in the region.
Ban says any progress towards peace in the Middle East will require a solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict along with cooperation and support from the region. Ban, who sent Undersecretary-General for Political Affairs Lynn Pascoe to the League of Arab States summit to deliver the message, says the United Nations fully backs plans for an agreement between Palestinians and Israelis for the end of the year, the world body reported.
"Your engagement is particularly crucial for the fragile political process currently under way between President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. … The challenges ahead are substantial, but they are not insurmountable," Ban said in a statement.
Ban urged Arab leaders to exercise the necessary influence to stop any more spikes in violence in and around Gaza.
