UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan has underscored the need for settling the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to accomplish peace in the Middle East and to deal with some of the drivers of extremism and terrorism.

This was stated by Ambassador of Pakistan to UN Maleeha Lodhi while speaking in a debate on Palestine in General Assembly in New York.

She said that this conflict has contributed most significantly to the anger and frustration in the Arab and Islamic world.

Dr Maleeha Lodhi said the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is essential for peace and stability throughout the Middle East.

She said the continuing expansion of illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian lands, the blockade of Gaza, the provocations around the Holy Al Aqsa Mosque and the continued imprisonment of Palestinians represented real obstacles to a two-state solution.

The Pakistani envoy said despite countless United Nations resolutions, nothing had been able to transform that grim reality.—INP