UN envoy urges constructive steps for Palestinian unity amid postponement of key gathering

9 September 2015 - The United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process urged all Palestinian leaders and factions to use the opportunity provided by the postponement of the meeting of the Palestine National Council to take constructive steps towards achieving unity.

"This shows leadership and wisdom in giving adequate time for consultation with all factions in preparation of a regular session, which should strengthen unity and chart the way forward," Nickolay Mladenov said in a statement, referring to the decision announced by the Council's Chairman, Salim Zanoun.

The meeting of the Council had been set to take place next week in the West Bank city of Ramallah, according to media reports. A new date has reportedly not been set for what would be the first gathering of the 700-plus member Council in nearly 20 years.

"I urge all Palestinian leaders and factions to seize this opportunity to take constructive steps towards achieving genuine Palestinian unity on the basis of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) principles, and to strengthen the PLO as the sole and legitimate representative of the Palestinian people," said Mr. Mladenov.

"This would be an important step forward towards ending the occupation and realizing a just and lasting solution on the basis of two States - Palestine and Israel - living side-by-side in peace, security and mutual recognition."

Senior UN officials have repeatedly stressed the need for all Palestinian groups to resolve their differences and find common ground, on the basis of non-violence and reconciliation, to achieve national unity which is critical for a two-State solution.