US introduces UN resolution endorsing Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
The United States asked the Security Council to support a UN resolution endorsing this week's agreement by Israeli and Palestinian leaders to try to reach a Middle East peace settlement by the end of 2008. US Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad told reporters after closed-door discussions Thursday on the draft resolution that "there was enormous support" for the decisions taken by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert at the US-sponsored Middle East conference in Annapolis, Maryland. "Everyone that spoke was very positive," he said. "Everyone recognizes that we collectively and individually have to do what we can to be supportive, sustain the momentum and help the parties as they make the difficult decisions that they have to make." Khalilzad said he would consult with the Israelis and Palestinians overnight on the text of the resolution to ensure that it's what they want. Council members said they needed to consult with their capitals on the text.