UNITED NATIONS: The international Quartet working on the Middle East has urged Israeli and Palestinian politicians to resume their negotiations as a matter of urgency in pursuit of a two-state solution to their conflict.

The meeting held at the UN headquarters on Thursday was attended by Quartet members — UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and EU Foreign Policy chief Javier Solana — besides Quartet representative Tony Blair.

‘The Quartet reiterates that the only viable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is an agreement that ends the occupation that began in 1967; resolves all permanent status issues as previously defined by the parties; and fulfils the aspirations of both parties for independent homelands through two states for two peoples, Israel and an independent, contiguous and viable state of Palestine, living side by side in peace and security,’ the Quartet said in a statement.

‘The Quartet shares the sense of urgency expressed by President Obama and fully supports the steps ahead as outlined in his statement to the UN General Assembly on September 22,’ the statement said.

‘The Quartet urges the government of Israel to freeze all settlement activity, including natural growth; and to refrain from provocative actions in East Jerusalem and calls on the Palestinian Authority to continue to make every effort to improve law and order, to fight violent extremism, and to end incitement,’ the communiqué said.

The four partners welcomed plans by the Palestinian Authority to complete the building of state institutions within 24 months as a demonstration of its serious commitment to an independent state that provides opportunity, justice, and security for the Palestinian people and is a responsible neighbour to all states in the region.

The Quartet called for a durable solution to the Gaza crisis that addresses ‘Israel’s legitimate security concerns,’ including an end to weapons smuggling into Gaza; promotes the reunification of Gaza, which was seized by Hamas two years ago, with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority; and facilitates the opening of crossings to allow the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid, commercial goods, and persons.