UNITED NATIONS, Nov 12: At a solemn memorial session, the United Nations General assembly on Thursday paid tributes to Palestinian President Yasser Arafat , stressing his historic acceptance of the principle of peaceful coexistence between Israel and a future Palestinian state and lamented that he did not live to see its realization.

The flag at UN headquarters in New York was lowered to half mast in mourning. "By signing the Oslo accords (with Israel) in 1993, he took a giant step towards the realization of this vision," UN Secretary General Kofi Annan told a memorial session of the 191-member General Assembly, which began with delegates standing to observe a minute's silence.

"It is tragic that he did not live to see it fulfilled," Mr Annan added, calling on both Israelis and Palestinians and their friends throughout the world to make even greater efforts to bring about the peaceful realization of the Palestinian right of self-determination.

Mr Annan pledged full support for the roadmap peace plan sponsored by the UN, European Union, Russia and United States, which calls for a series of steps leading to two states living side-by-side in peace by 2005.

"Though President Arafat did not live to see the attainment of these goals, the world will continue to strive towards them," Mr Annan declared, also promising a continuation of the 55-year-old UN humanitarian assistance programme "for as long as the Palestinian people need our help."