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Mideast Peace Takes Stage At U.N.

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The Associated Press

Published: September 27, 2008

UNITED NATIONS - Saudi Arabia, the Arab League and the Palestinian Authority president urged the U.N. Security Council on Friday to save the Middle East peace process by demanding an end to Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory.

A debate came the same day key international players trying to promote peace in the Middle East were meeting on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly.

The so-called Quartet - the United Nations, the United States, the European Union and Russia - is meeting during a difficult period in the region. Israel is awaiting a new government, the Palestinians are divided, and President Bush is looking for an agreement by the end of the year.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice reminded the council Friday that "just one year ago, there was no peace process," and noted that Israel and the Palestinians continue their negotiations, along with many other partners.

For months, the United States had successfully kept Palestinian issues out of the Security Council, allowing private discussions between Israel and the Palestinians to work.

Friday's debate seemed to signal that time had run out for the quiet backdoor talks.

Israel and the Palestinians resumed peace talks in November at a summit in Annapolis, Md. At the time, they pledged to try to reach a peace deal by the end of 2008, just before Bush leaves office.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

IRAN: The United States and Russia, striking a compromise, led a new U.N. Security Council effort Friday to condemn Iran's nuclear program that includes no new sanctions.

ECONOMY: British Prime Minister Gordon Brown called Friday for "a new global financial order" to resolve the financial crisis currently roiling world markets. He said the immediate priority was to stabilize financial markets.

The Associated Press

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