1. Introduction

1. The present report is submitted pursuant to General Assembly resolution 59/31 of 1 December 2004.

2. On 25 May 2005, pursuant to the request contained in paragraph 13 of the above-mentioned resolution, I addressed the following letter to the President of the Security Council:

“I have the honour to refer to resolution 59/31, which the General Assembly adopted on 1 December 2004, at its fifty-ninth session, under the agenda item ‘Question of Palestine’.

“Paragraph 13 of the resolution requests the Secretary-General to continue his efforts with the parties concerned, and in consultation with the Security Council, towards the attainment of a peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine and the promotion of peace in the region and to submit a report on these efforts and on developments on this matter.

“In order to fulfil my reporting responsibilities under this resolution, I should be grateful if you would kindly convey to me the views of the Security Council by 31 July 2005.”

3. On 26 July 2005, the following reply was received from the Security Council:

“The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, remains one of the most important items on the Security Council agenda. The Council continues to consider the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, on a regular basis, in particular with monthly briefings by the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs and senior Secretariat staff.

“On 31 August 2004, the President made a statement to the press, in which the members of the Council condemned the terrorist attacks in Israel that had resulted in the loss of innocent lives. They also condemned all other acts of terrorism, denounced the escalation in violence in the Middle East and called on the parties to continue the peace process in the region.

“The Council held an open debate on the situation in the Middle East on 4 October 2004, at which Algeria introduced a draft resolution on behalf of the Arab Group of States concerning Israeli military operations in Gaza. The Council voted on the draft resolution on 5 October 2004, but failed to adopt it.

“Following a regular briefing by Kieran Prendergast, Under-Secretary- General for Political Affairs, and subsequent informal consultations on 22 October 2004, the President, in a brief statement to the press, highlighted the concerns of the Council at the lack of progress on the Middle East peace process and urged both parties to begin to implement, as soon as possible, the provisions of the road map.

“On 13 January 2005, following a regular briefing by the Under- Secretary-General Kieran Prendergast, which focused on the Palestinian presidential elections held on 9 January 2005, and subsequent informal consultations, the Council adopted a presidential statement (S/PRST/2005/2) referring to the following issues: the Palestinian presidential elections; the future political process, in particular the Palestinian legislative elections,reinforcement of the Palestinian institutions, international assistance to the people and the Palestinian Authority; and the necessity of implementing the road map for a viable, democratic and sovereign Palestinian State, in peaceful and secure coexistence with Israel.

“On February 16 2005, the Council adopted a presidential statement (S/PRST/2005/6) welcoming the Sharm el Sheikh Summit of 8 February 2005 and the resumption of direct talks between Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

“On 9 March 2005, the Council adopted a presidential statement (S/PRST/2005/12) whereby it welcomed the conclusions of the London meeting on supporting the Palestinian Authority held on 1 March 2005.

“Responding to a request by the Arab Group for an immediate meeting of the Council to consider recent developments in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, the Council held an open debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, on 21 July 2005. The United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Mr. Alvaro de Soto, briefed the Council on the latest developments in the region. No action was taken by the Council following this meeting.

“The Council continues to keep the evolving situation in the Middle East under active review through monthly briefings, open meetings and informal consultations. During these meetings, the Council members reiterate their support for a just and comprehensive settlement in the Middle East based on resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973), 1397 (2002) and 1515 (2003), the foundations of the Madrid Conference, the principle of land for peace, agreements previously reached by the parties and the initiative of Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah endorsed in Beirut at the summit-level Council of the League of Arab States.”

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Source: UN News Centre, 19 November. 2005