The U.N. Security Council on Tuesday adopted its first Middle East resolution in five years. The U.S.-drafted resolution calls on Israelis and Palestinians “to fulfill their obligations” under last year's peace Annapolis peace conference, and for all countries and international groups “to contribute to an atmosphere conducive to negotiations.” The 15-member Security Council passed the resolution 14-0. Libya abstained from voting. “There is no substitute for the Annapolis process, and stagnation is not an option,” U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in her remarks to the council before the vote. The U.S. administration set a goal of achieving a two-state solution before George W. Bush leaves office on January 20, 2009. While that is not going to happen, the resolution is also aimed at cementing the progress that has been made over the past year. “There can be no turning back the clock. We should only go forward from here. We have to continue on the chosen path,” Rice said. “That path forward will finally give to the dignified people of Palestine the dignity and the humanity that can only come from living in their independent and sovereign state.” In remarks to the media on Monday, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal expressed his satisfaction that Security Council will remain involved in the peace process.
