Collective efforts vital for unblocking Middle East peace process.

UNITED NATIONS, January 28 (Itar-Tass) - Russia's Ambassador to the
United Nations Vitaly Churkin told an open session of the United Nations
Security Council on Wednesday that a meeting of the 'quartet' of Middle
East peace brokers, including Russia, the United States, the European
Union and the United Nations, in the Russian capital in February could
become a vital step on the way to organizing a Moscow conference on the
Middle East.
"Unfortunately, the absence of progress in the settlement process and
the ongoing pause in negotiations are not allowing us to announce the
exact dates for holding the Moscow Middle East conference. The need to
convene such a forum has been confirmed by the parties directly involved
in the conflict, our 'quartet' partners and the entire world community,"
Churkin went on to say.
He believes that collective effort, including in the 'quartet' format,
is of fundamental importance for unblocking the regional peace process.
A lack of unity in the Palestinian and Israeli societies on the
prospects of settlement is complicating international diplomatic efforts
in this direction, Churkin said. He stressed the primary importance of
restoring the inter-Palestinian unity through signing a reconciliation
agreement between leading Palestinian factions worked out with Cairo's
assistance.
The Russian diplomat expressed support for Egypt, which is playing a
key role in the peace process. He also added that Russia was continuing
its contacts with HAMAS.
Churkin said that Russia would do everything within its power to
promote the Middle East settlement process together with other members of
the world community. However, he believes that the final settlement can
only be comprehensive and should include both the Syrian and Lebanese
tracks.
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