Mr. President,

      I join previous speakers in thanking Mr. Robert Serry for his informative and detailed briefing.

      Mr. President,

      As the Council is reviewing a month that saw a wide array of developments across the region, my Delegation recognizes the commitment by Palestine and Israel to carry forward bilateral negotiations into 2009, the strengthened efforts of the Palestinian Authority in preparation for statehood, the recent decision of Israel to evacuate illegal settlers out of Hebron and release more than 200 Palestinian prisoners, and the continued cooperation between both parties in enhancing the rule of law and security sector reforms in Jenin. We take note of the affirmation by the Quartet in its statement on 15 December 2008 that a final treaty and a lasting peace would be reached through simultaneous and mutually re-enforcing efforts on the basis of peaceful negotiations, the institutional building of a Palestinian state, and the implementation of both parties' obligations under the Roadmap and the Annapolis Joint Understanding. We welcome Resolution 1850 adopted just two days ago by the Council, the first on the situation in the Middle East after almost 5 years in hiatus, and consider it – despite its understandable imperfections – a good basis for all relevant partners to overcome setbacks and achieve further concrete results, thus if and once strictly implemented contributing practically to realizing the vision of an independent, viable and sovereign State of Palestine, living side by side and in peace with Israel, and a larger Middle East whose constituent nations remain at peace with each other and with the world at large.

      Mr. President,

      An honest assessment of the current situation, regrettably, reveals the outstanding scope of obstacles that remains on the way forward. My Delegation fully shares Mr. Robert Serry’s recognition of and grave concern over the many problems still pervasive in the region. It that context, it is our view that the success of the peace process requires prompt effort by the international community to rectify the aggravating situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and commit Israel to its obligations under the Road Map and related international law provisions, including inter alia the immediate end of all settlement activities, removal of obstacles to freedom of access and movement, and reopening of border crossings to terminate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Also, the parties concerned must refrain from any act that may vitiate the atmosphere for a result-oriented dialogue based on mutual confidence and trust, and explore every possible way to maintain constructive negotiations so as to arrive at a just and sustainable solution in keeping with United Nations Security Council Resolutions 242, 338, 1397, 1515 and 1850, the principle of land for peace, the Arab Peace Initiative, the Road Map and other concluded agreements.

      Mr. President,

      While resolution of the six-decade tragedy of Palestine has a profound impact on the situation in the Middle East, peace in the region also requires forward movement on other axes of the peace process. In this regard, we commend regional efforts facilitated by Turkey to re-energize the Syria-Israel track as well as efforts to resume good-faith negotiations on the Syrian and Lebanese tracks. We call upon the international community to support in the coming months the positive steps taken by the Lebanese Government to fully assert authority over its territory, promote the national course of reconciliation, political stability, socio-economic development, and regional and international integration. We urge all the parties concerned to strictly observe Resolution 1701, put an end to those acts that may further complicate this process, including the targeted attacks against Lebanese civilians and UNIFIL personnel, violations of the Lebanese air space, continued detention of prisoners, and unresolved status of Shab’a Farms. Knowing that much remains to be done, we are at the same time confident in the wisdom and determination of the Lebanese people as well as the cooperation and assistance of the United Nations, the Quartet, the League of Arab States, regional countries and the international community in ensuring that the tragic past of Lebanon is never repeated.

      I thank you, Mr. President.