Ban Ki-moon welcomes Kerry's efforts to resume peace talks

The UN Secretary-General  Ban Ki-moon Friday commended the efforts of US Secretary of State JohnKerry to resume Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. “The Secretary-General welcomes the announcement by US Secretary of State Kerry today in Amman, Jordan, that the basis has been established to resume talks between Israelis and Palestinians,” said Ban’s spokesperson in a statement on Friday. Ban added that he was encouraged by “this positive development” and called on both sides to show leadership, courage, and responsibility to sustain this effort towards achieving the two-state vision. He noted that the UN would continue to support any endeavor towards meaningful negotiations and to the achievement of a comprehensive peace in the region. Earlier Friday, Israel and Palestine might pick up peace negotiations after a hiatus of nearly three years, said Kerry in Jordan. The talks had foundered in October 2010 after Israel refused to stop the construction of Jewish settlements in Jerusalem. Palestinian leaders gathered on Thursday under Abbas' leadership in a meeting that saw them agree on a decision to push for the establishment of a Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, and to suspend the negotiations with Israel until Jewish settlement construction was completely terminated.