UNITED NATIONS, Jan 23 (APP): Pakistan has called on the United Nations (UN)to respond to the challenges posed by the unilateral moves on the status of Jerusalem and the expanding Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory that have undermined the prospect of peace in the Middle East. “The United Nations, including the Security Council, have a central role in responding to these challenges,” Ambassador Munir Akram, permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, told the 15-member Council on Wednesday. Speaking in a debate on the Middle East situation, he said the tragedy of Palestine, at the heart of the turmoil in the region, shows no signs of ending amid Israel’s settlement expansion. “As illegal Israeli settlements expand into the occupied Palestinian territory, the vision of a two-state solution is being systematically reduced into a one-state reality,” Ambassador Akram said. The principle of land for peace and implementation of Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973), the Madrid Terms of Reference and the Arab Peace Initiative of 2000 are well-known elements for a comprehensive settlement in the Middle East, he said. “The international community must continue to promote the aim of creating ‘a viable, democratic sovereign and contiguous Palestinian … Continue reading Pakistan urges U.N. to play ‘central role’ in resolving Palestinian-Israeli conflict