Ban, El-Araby discuss Syria, Palestinian question

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon late Friday met with Nabil El-Araby, Secretary General of the League of Arab States, to discuss "first and foremost" the situation in Syria, with its "political impasse," widespread human rights abuses, and growing humanitarian crisis, his press office said in a statement. The statement added that both officials also expressed "serious concern" about the question of Palestine, the "lack of progress" in peace negotiations, and the alarming economic situation as well as the "absence of hope" in the occupied Palestinian territory. They also discussed the rioting that recently erupted following the posting of the "irresponsible and provocative" video, on the Prophet Mohammed peace be upon him, which they condemned, while deploring the violence that ensued.