Vietnam stands ready to join the international community in its efforts towards the peaceful settlement of Israel-Palestine and Arab-Israel conflicts and lasting peace in the Middle East.

Permanent Vietnamese representative to the United Nations Ambassador Le Luong Minh, who chaired the UN Security Council open debate on “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question” in New York on Oct. 14, voiced support to Russia’s initiative to convene an international conference on the Middle East in Moscow before the end of this year.

The Vietnamese diplomat welcomed the international community’s efforts to restore the Palestine-Israel negotiation process and noted that the Palestinian National Authority also made continued efforts to strengthen security, economic reform and functional institutions for a future State.

However, he expressed his concern on Israeli military incursions, the construction of the Separation Wall, the expansion of settlements, and the blockade of Gaza.

“Sporadic rocket attacks have placed civilians in southern Israel under continual threats,” he added.

“Constructive dialogue and political negotiations remain the only viable solutions to the current conflict,” said the Vietnamese representative.

He urged Israel to immediately halt illegal settlement activity, dismantle outposts, open all border crossings, release all Palestinian prisoners, and ensure the unhindered access of humanitarian assistance.

He also called on Palestinian factions to set store by their long-term national interests, resolve their differences through reconciliation, and jointly work toward the establishment of a Government of national unity.

With regard to Lebanon, the Vietnamese diplomat expressed his concern about the delay in the formation of a new Government in the country after the parliamentary elections last June.

“We hope that negotiations will soon conclude in the spirit of reconciliation and dialogue in order for the new Government to be formed, representing the interests of all communities in Lebanon,” he said.

After reiterating his support for the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the full implementation of Resolution 1701 (2006), the diplomat welcomed efforts being made by the Lebanese authorities, in cooperation with UNIFIL, to defuse the tension kindled by the recent multiple security incidents in southern Lebanon.

He called on Israel to cease flights over Lebanese territory and withdraw from the northern part of Ghajar village and an adjacent area north of the Blue Line./.