Security Council elements-to-the-press on Yemen

The members of the Security Council express grave concern at the announcement by the Houthies to the break off talks, to dissolve parliament and to take over all of Yemen's government institutions.

The members of the Security Council call in the strongest terms for all parties, in particular the Houthies, to abide by the Gulf Cooperation Council initiative, the National Dialogue Conference Outcomes and the Peace and Partnership Agreement, which provide for a Yemeni-led democratic transition.

The members of the Security Council declare their readiness to take further steps if UN-led negotiations are not immediately resumed.

The members of the Security Council reaffirm their commitment to the territorial integrity, unity and sovereignty of Yemen.

The members of the Security Council call for the immediate release of President Hadi, Prime Minister Bahah and members of the Cabinet from house arrest.

The members of the Security Council reaffirms their full support for and commitment ti the work of the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Yemen, Jamal Benomar, in support of the Yemeni transition process.

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Security Council - UK Draft statement on Yemen

The members of the Security Council deeply regret the breakdown of UN-led negotiations in Yemen.

The members of the Security Council condemn the unilateral action taken by the Houthis, including the breaking off of talks and the unilateral taking over of all government institutions.

The members of the Security Council call in the strongest terms for all parties, in particular the Houthis, to abide by the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative, the National Dialogue Conference Outcomes and the Peace and Partnership Agreement, which provide for a Yemeni-led democratic transition.

The members of the Security Council declare their readiness to take further steps if UN-led negotiations are not immediately resumed.

The members of the Security Council reaffirm their commitment to the territorial integrity, unity and sovereignty of Yemen.

The members of the Security Council call for the immediate release of President Hadi, Prime Minister Bahah and members of the Cabinet from house arrest.

The members of the Security Council express their appreciation and reaffirm their full support for and commitment to the work of the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Yemen, Jamal Benomar, in support of the Yemeni transition process.

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Security Council draft resolution on ISIS financial resources/ Oil smuggling

The Security Council,

PP1. Reaffirming its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations,

PP2. Reaffirming that terrorism in all forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivations, whenever and by whomsoever committed, [2178]

PP3. Reaffirming the need to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and international law, including applicable international human rights, refugee, and humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts, stressing in this regard the important role the United Nations plays in leading and coordinating this effort, [2161 and 2178]

PP4. Emphasizing that sanctions are an important tool under the Charter of the United Nations in the maintenance and restoration of international peace and security including countering terrorism, and underlining the importance of prompt and effective implementation of relevant resolutions, in particular Security Council resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011) as key instruments in the fight against terrorism, [PP8 of 2161 combined with PP15 of 2129]

PP5. Recalling its Resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011), 2161 (2014), 2170 (2014), and 2178 (2014) and its Presidential Statements of 28 July 2014 and 19 November 2014, including its stated intention to consider additional measures to disrupt oil trade by Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), Al-Nusrah Front (ANF) and all other individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with Al-Qaida, as a source of terrorism financing, [based on PRST/2014/23]

PP6. Reaffirming the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Republic of Iraq and the Syrian Arab Republic, and reaffirming further the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, [based on 2170]

PP7. Reaffirming also that terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, or civilization, [2129]

PP8. Stressing that terrorism can only be defeated by a sustained and comprehensive approach involving the active participation and collaboration of all States, and international and regional organizations to impede, impair, isolate and incapacitate the terrorist threat, [2170]

PP9. Expressing, in this regard, its deep appreciation for Arab League Resolution 7804 (September 7, 2014), the Paris Statement (September 15, 2014), the FATF statement on countering the financing of ISIL (October 24, 2014) and the Manama declaration on countering terrorist finance (November 9, 2014),

PP10. Reaffirming its resolution 1373 (2001) and in particular its decisions that all States shall prevent and suppress the financing of terrorist acts and refrain from providing any form of support, active or passive, to entities or persons involved in terrorist acts, including by suppressing recruitment of members of terrorist groups and eliminating the supply of weapons to terrorists, [1373]

PP11. Reiterating its deep concern that oilfields and their related infrastructure, as well as other infrastructure such as dams and power plants, controlled by ISIL, ANF and potentially other individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with Al-Qaida, are generating a significant portion of the groups' income, alongside extortion, private foreign donations, kidnap ransoms and stolen money from the territory they control, which support their recruitment efforts and strengthen their operational capability to organize and carry out terrorist attacks, [PRST/2014/14]

PP12. Reaffirming the obligation of Member States to freeze without delay funds and other financial assets or economic resources of persons who commit, or attempt to commit, terrorist acts or participate in or facilitate the commission of terrorist acts; of entities owned or controlled directly or indirectly by such persons; and of persons and entities acting on behalf of, or at the direction of such persons and entities, including funds derived or generated from property owned or controlled directly or indirectly by such persons and associated persons and entities, [1373 OP 1(c)]

PP13. Expressing its concern that economic resources such as oil, oil products, modular refineries and related material, other natural resources including precious metals such as gold, silver, and copper, diamonds, and any other assets are made available to ISIL, ANF, and other individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with Al-Qaida, and noting that direct or indirect trade with ISIL and ANF in such materials could constitute a violation of the obligations imposed by resolution 2161 (2014),

PP14. Reminding all States of their obligation to ensure that any person who participates in the financing, planning, preparation or perpetration of terrorist acts or in supporting terrorist acts is brought to justice, [1373 OP 2(e)]

PP15. Reaffirming its decision 2133 (2014) and noting again that ransom payments to terrorist groups are one of the sources of income which supports their recruitment efforts, strengthens their operational capability to organize and carry out terrorist attacks, and incentivizes future incidents of kidnapping for ransom, [2133 OP7]

PP16. Expressing concern at the increased use, in a globalized society, by terrorists and their supporters, of new information and communications technologies, in particular the Internet, to facilitate terrorist acts, as well as their use to incite, recruit, fund or plan terrorist acts, [ 2161]

PP17. Welcoming the report on ANF and ISIL from the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, published on November 14, 2014, and taking note of its recommendations, [new]

PP18. Noting with concern the continued threat posed to international peace and security by ISIL, ANF and all other individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with Al-Qaida, and reaffirming its resolve to address all aspects of that threat,

PP19. Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

Oil Trade

1. Condemns any engagement in direct or indirect trade, in particular of oil and oil products, and modular refineries and related material, with ISIL, ANF and any other individuals, groups, undertakings and entities designated as associated with Al-Qaida by the Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011), and reiterates that such engagement would constitute support for such individuals, groups, undertakings and entities and may lead to further listings by the Committee; [based off 2170 para 14]

2. Reaffirms that States are required by resolution 2161 (2014) to ensure that their nationals and those in their territory not make assets or economic resources, directly or indirectly, available to ISIL, ANF and all other individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with Al-Qaida, and notes that this obligation applies to the direct and indirect trade in oil and refined oil products, modular refineries and related material; [PRST/2014/23]

3. Reaffirms that States are required by resolution 2161 (2014) to freeze without delay the funds and other financial assets or economic resources of ISIL, ANF, and other individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with Al-Qaida, including funds derived from property owned or controlled directly or indirectly, by them or by persons acting on their behalf or at their direction; [adapted from UNSCR 2161, OP 1]

4. Reaffirms that States are required by resolution 2161 (2014) to ensure that no funds, other financial assets or economic resources are made available, directly or indirectly, by their nationals or by persons within their territory for the benefit of ISIL, ANF, and other individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with Al-Qaida; [adapted from UNSCR 2161, OP 1]

5. Recalls that funds and other financial assets or economic resources made available to or for the benefit of a listed party are not always held directly by them, and recalls in addition that in identifying such funds and benefits, States should be alert to the possibility that property owned or controlled indirectly by the listed party may not be immediately visible; [adapted from UN AQ Asset Freeze Explanation of Terms, ¶ 20]

6. Confirms that economic resources include oil, oil products, modular refineries and related material, other natural resources, and any other assets which are not funds but which potentially may be used to obtain funds, goods or services; 

7. Emphasizes that States are required to freeze funds, other financial assets and economic resources, including oil, oil products, modular refineries and related material and other natural resources in their territory that are owned or controlled by ISIL, ANF, and other individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with Al-Qaida, or persons acting on their behalf or at their direction, as well as any funds or negotiable benefit arising from such economic resources;

8. Recognizes the need to take measures to prevent and suppress the financing of terrorism, individual terrorists, and terrorist organizations, including from the proceeds of organized crime, inter alia, the illicit production and trafficking of drugs and their chemical precursors, and the importance of continued international cooperation to that aim; 

9. Emphasizes that States are required to ensure that their nationals and persons in their territory not make available, directly or indirectly, any funds, other financial assets or economic resources, including oil, oil products, modular refineries and related material and other natural resources that are identified as directed to, collected for, or otherwise for the benefit of ISIL, ANF, and other individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with Al-Qaida, as well as any funds or negotiable benefit arising from such economic resources; 

10.  Reaffirms that all States shall ensure that any person who participates in the financing, planning, preparation or perpetration of terrorist acts or in supporting terrorist acts is brought to justice and ensure that such terrorist acts are established as serious criminal offenses in domestic laws and regulations and that the punishment duly reflects the seriousness of such terrorist acts, [1373 OP 2(e)] and emphasises that such support may be provided through trade in oil and refined oil products, modular refineries and related material with ISIL, ANF and all other individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with Al-Qaida, 

11. Decides that Member States shall inform the 1267/1989 Committee within 30 days of the interdiction in their territory of any oil, oil products, modular refineries, and related material being transferred to or from ISIL or ANF, and calls upon Member States to report to the Committee the outcome of proceedings brought against individuals and entities as a result of such activity; 

12.  Directs the 1267/1989 Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee to immediately consider designations of individuals and entities engaged in oil trade-related activities with ISIL, the ANF and all other individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with Al-Qaida

13. Requests the Chair of the 1267/1989 Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee to report to the Security Council on the implementation of this resolution, with his findings and recommendations therein, every three months after adoption of this resolution; [new]

14. Calls upon Member States to improve international, regional, and subregional cooperation, including through increased sharing of information for the purpose of identifying smuggling routes used by ISIL and ANF, and for Member States to consider provision of technical assistance and capacity building to assist other Member States to counter smuggling of oil and oil products, and modular refineries and related material, by ISIL, ANF and any other individual, group, undertaking or entity associated with Al-Qaida; [based on 2178 paragraph 11 but for oil]

15.  Expresses concern that vehicles, including aircraft, cars and trucks[, and oil tankers], departing from or going to areas of Syria and Iraq where ISIL, ANF or any other groups, undertakings and entities associated with Al-Qaida operate, could be used to transfer oil and oil products, modular refineries and related material, cash, and other valuable items including natural resources such as precious metals and minerals like gold, silver, copper and diamonds, as well as grain, livestock, machinery, electronics, and cigarettes by or on behalf of such entities for sale on international markets, for barter for arms, or for use in other ways that would result in violations of the asset freeze or arms embargo in paragraph 1 of resolution 2161 (2014) and encourages Member States to take appropriate steps in accordance with international law to prevent and disrupt activity that would result in violations of the asset freeze or targeted arms embargo in paragraph 1 of resolution 2161 (2014); [based on PRST/2014/23]

Cultural Heritage

16. Condemns the destruction of cultural heritage in Iraq and Syria by ISIL and ANF, whether such destruction is incidental or deliberate, including targeted destruction of religious sites and objects; [UNESCO 195 EX/31]

17. Notes with concern that ISIL, ANF and other individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with Al-Qaida, are generating income from engaging directly or indirectly in the looting and smuggling of cultural heritage items from archaeological sites, museums, libraries, archives, and other sites in Iraq and Syria, which is being used to support their recruitment efforts and strengthen their operational capability to organize and carry out terrorist attacks; 

18. Recalls its decision in paragraph 7 of resolution 1483 (2003) and decides that all Member States shall take appropriate steps to prevent the trade in Iraqi and Syrian cultural property and other items of archaeological, historical, cultural, rare scientific, and religious importance illegally removed from Iraq since 6 August 1990 and from Syria since 15 March 2011, including by prohibiting cross-border trade in such items, thereby allowing for their eventual safe return to the Iraqi and Syrian people and calls upon the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, Interpol, and other international organizations, as appropriate, to assist in the implementation of this paragraph; 

Kidnapping for Ransom and External Donations

19. Reaffirms its condemnation of incidents of kidnapping and hostage-taking committed by ISIL, ANF and all other individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with Al-Qaida for any purpose, including with the aim of raising funds or gaining political concessions and expresses its determination to prevent kidnapping and hostage-taking committed by terrorist groups and to secure the safe release of hostages without ransom payments or political concessions, in accordance with applicable international law;

20. Reaffirms that the requirements of paragraph 1(a) of resolution 2161 (2014) apply to the payment of ransoms to individuals, groups, undertakings or entities on the Al-Qaida Sanctions List, regardless of how or by whom the ransom is paid, emphasizes that this obligation applies to ISIL and ANF, and calls upon all member states to encourage private sector partners to adopt or to follow relevant guidelines and good practices for preventing and responding to terrorist kidnappings without paying ransom; 

21. Reiterates its call upon all Member States to prevent terrorists from benefiting directly or indirectly from ransom payments or from political concessions and to secure the safe release of hostages, and reaffirms the need for all Member States to cooperate closely during incidents of kidnapping and hostage-taking committed by terrorist groups; [2170]

22. Expresses its grave concern of reports that external donations continue to make their way to ISIL, ANF and other individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with Al-Qaida, and recalls the importance of all Member States complying with their obligation to ensure that their nationals and persons within their territory do not make donations to individuals and entities designated by the Committee or those acting on behalf of or at the direction of designated entities; [2170]

23. Stresses that donations from individuals and entities have played a role in developing and sustaining ISIL and ANF, and that Member States have an obligation to ensure that such support is not made available to those terrorist groups and other individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with Al-Qaida by their nationals and persons within their territory, and urges Member States to address this directly through enhanced vigilance of the international financial system and by working with their non-profit and charitable organizations to ensure financial flows through charitable giving are not diverted to ISIL, ANF or any other individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with Al-Qaida; [para 29 from PRST 2014/23]

Banking

24. Urges Member States to take steps to ensure that financial institutions within their territory prevent ISIL, ANF or other individuals, groups, undertakings or entities associated with Al-Qaida from accessing the international financial system; 

MANPADS

25. Expresses concern at the proliferation of all arms and related materiel of all types, in particular man-portable surface-to-air missiles, to ISIL, ANF and all other individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with Al-Qaida, and its potential impact on regional and international peace and security; 

26. Reminds Member States of their obligation pursuant to paragraph 1(c) of resolution 2161 (2014), to prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer of arms and related materiel of all types to listed individuals and entities, including ISIL and ANF; 

27. Calls upon all States to consider appropriate measures to prevent the proliferation of all arms and related materiel of all types, in particular man-portable surface-to-air missiles, if there is a reasonable suspicion that such arms and related materiel would be obtained by ISIL, the ANF or other individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with Al-Qaida; 

Asset Freeze

28. Reaffirms that the requirements in paragraph 1 (a) of Security Council resolution 2161 apply to financial and economic resources of every kind, including but not limited to those used for the provision of Internet hosting or related services, used for the support of Al-Qaida and other individuals, groups, undertakings or entities included on the Al-Qaida Sanctions List; [UNSCR 2161]

Reporting

29. Calls upon Member States to report to the Committee within 90 days on the measures they have taken to comply with the measures imposed in this resolution; 

30. Requests the Monitoring Team to conduct a formal assessment of the impact of these new measures within 180 days to track progress on implementation, identify unintended consequences and unexpected challenges, and to help facilitate further adjustments as required; 

31. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

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OPCW decision on Syria: Accountability

OPCW - Executive Council

Forty-Eighth Meeting EC-M-48/DEC.1

21, 23, and 29 January and 4 February 2015

4 February 2015

DECISION

REPORTS OF THE OPCW FACT-FINDING MISSION IN SYRIA

The Executive Council,

Underlining that the use of any chemical weapons by anyone under any circumstances would be reprehensible and completely contrary to the legal norms and standards of the international community;

Recalling the determination of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention (hereinafter “the Convention”) “for the sake of all mankind, to exclude completely the possibility of the use of chemical weapons”, through the implementation of the provisions of the Convention;

Cognizant of the reports of the OPCW Fact-Finding Mission in Syria (S/1191/2014, dated 16 June 2014; S/1212/2014, dated 10 September 2014; and S/1230/2014, dated 18 December 2014), created by the Director-General to establish the facts surrounding the allegations of the use of toxic chemicals, reportedly chlorine, for hostile purposes in the Syrian Arab Republic, and of the fact that the Director-General transmitted the reports to the United Nations Secretary-General; while noting that in the Executive Council diverse views were expressed with regard to these reports;

Noting the statement of the Director-General to this Meeting that he intends to include the reports of the Fact-Finding Mission, along with information on the discussion thereof in the Executive Council, as part of the Director-General’s monthly reports to the Security Council, made through the Secretary-General pursuant to United Nations Security Council resolution 2118(2013);

Mindful that the task of the Fact-Finding Mission does not include the question of attributing responsibility for the alleged use;

Mindful of the letter of the Director-General dated 3 October 2013, transmitting the United Nations Security Council resolution 2118, dated 27 September 2013;

Expressing appreciation to the Fact-Finding Mission personnel for their courage and dedication in carrying out their assignment; and

Expressing support for the continuation of the work of the Fact-Finding Mission, in particular studying all available information relating to allegations of use of chemical weapons in Syria including that provided by the Syrian Arab Republic as well as by others;

Hereby:

1. Expresses serious concern regarding the findings of the Fact-Finding Mission, made with a high degree of confidence, that chlorine had been used as a weapon in Syria in the villages of Talmenes, Al Tamanah, and Kafr Zita from April to August 2014;

2. Reaffirms its condemnation, in the strongest possible terms, of the use of chemical weapons by anyone under any circumstances;

3. Emphasises that any use of chemical weapons anywhere, at any time, by anyone, under any circumstances is unacceptable and would violate international law;

4. Expresses its strong conviction that those individuals responsible for the use of chemical weapons should be held accountable;

5. Requests the Director-General to provide the Executive Council at its next regular session with information on the progress of the Fact-Finding Mission as well as on specific plans, schedules and their implementation; and

6. Calls upon all parties which will be addressed by the Fact-Finding Mission to extend their full cooperation to the Mission to ensure that it completes its work safely and effectively.

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Security Council statement on Yemen

Security Council - Draft Statement 

The members of the Security Council expressed their grave concern about the worsening political and security crisis in Yemen.  The members of the Security Council called upon all parties to implement a full and lasting ceasefire, and underscored the importance of full implementation of the terms of the Peace and National Partnership Agreement, including its Security Annex, the National Dialogue Conference Outcomes, and the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative and Implementation Mechanism.

The members of the Security Council underlined that President Abdo Rabbo Mansour Hadi is the legitimate authority based on election results and the terms of the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative and Implementation Mechanism.  

The members of the Security Council emphasised that all parties and political actors in Yemen must stand with President Hadi, Prime Minister Bahah, and Yemen’s Cabinet to keep the country on track to stability and security.

The members of the Security Council urged all the parties in Yemen to resolve their differences through dialogue and consultation, to reject acts of violence to achieve political goals, to refrain from provocation, and to fully abide by resolutions 2014 (2011), 2051 (2012) and 2140 (2014).  In this regard the members of the Security Council fully support the efforts of the good offices of the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General, Jamal Benomar, as well as the GCC and G10 initiatives.

The members of the Security Council condemned the recourse to violence in recent days, including the use of abduction, and urged all parties in Yemen to commit to the established processes of dialogue and consultation.  In particular, the members of the Security Council condemned the attack on 19 January against the Presidential Palace in Sana’a and rejected such violent efforts to undermine or interfere with Yemen’s legitimate government institutions.

The members of the Security Council further called on all sides to show restraint in Marib and to resolve their differences peacefully through the Presidential Committee and the support of the Office of the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Yemen.

The members of the Security Council welcomed the completion of a draft constitution and its referral to the National Authority, and looked forward to the start of the public consultation on the draft.  The members of the Security Council called for all parties to rapidly engage in finalising the constitution in a constructive manner which responds to the aspirations of the Yemeni people.

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Latest Palestinian draft resolution

Jordan: draft resolution

           Reaffirming its previous resolutions, in particular resolutions 242 (1967); 338 (1973), 1397 (2002), 1515 (2003), 1544 (2004), 1850 (2008), 1860 (2009) and the Madrid Principles,

           Reiterating its vision of a region where two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace within secure and recognized borders,

           Reaffirming the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and to independence in their State of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital,

           Recalling General Assembly resolution 181 (II) of 29 November 1947,

           Reaffirming the principle of the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by force and recalling its resolutions 446 (1979), 452 (1979) and 465 (1980), determining, inter alia, that the policies and practices of Israel in establishing settlements in the territories occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, have no legal validity and constitute a serious obstruction to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East,

           Recalling also its relevant resolutions regarding the status of Jerusalem, including resolution 478 (1980) of 20 August 1980, and bearing in mind that the annexation of East Jerusalem is not recognized by the international community,

           Affirming the imperative of resolving the problem of the Palestine refugees on the basis of international law and relevant resolutions, including resolution 194 (III), as stipulated in the Arab Peace Initiative,

           Recalling the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice of 9 July 2004 on the legal consequences of the construction of a wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory,

           Underlining that the Gaza Strip constitutes an integral part of the Palestinian territory occupied in 1967, and calling for a sustainable solution to the situation in the Gaza Strip, including the sustained and regular opening of its border crossings for normal flow of persons and goods, in accordance with international humanitarian law,

           Welcoming the important progress in Palestinian state-building efforts recognised by the World Bank and the IMF in 2012, and reiterating its call to all States and international organizations to contribute to the Palestinian institution building programme in preparation for independence,

           Reaffirming that a just, lasting and peaceful settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be achieved by peaceful means, based on an enduring commitment to mutual recognition, freedom from violence, incitement and terror, and the two-State solution, building on previous agreements and obligations and stressing that the only viable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is an agreement that ends the occupation that began in 1967, resolves all permanent status issues as previously defined by the parties, and fulfils the legitimate aspirations of both parties,

           Condemning all violence and hostilities directed against civilians and all acts of terrorism, and reminding all States of their obligations under resolution 1373 (2001),

           Recalling the obligation to ensure the safety and well-being of civilians and ensure their protection in situations of armed conflict,

           Reaffirming the right of all States in the region to live in peace within secure and internationally recognized borders,

           Noting with appreciation the efforts of the United States in 2013/14 to facilitate and advance negotiations between the parties aimed at achieving a final peace settlement,

           Aware of its responsibilities to help secure a long-term solution to the conflict,

           1.       Affirms the urgent need to attain, no later than 12 months after the adoption of this resolution, a just, lasting and comprehensive peaceful solution that brings an end to the Israeli occupation since 1967 and fulfils the vision of two independent, democratic and prosperous states, Israel and a sovereign, contiguous and viable State of Palestine, living side by side in peace and security within mutually and internationally recognized borders;

           2.       Decides that the negotiated solution will be based on the following parameters:

       – borders based on 4 June 1967 lines with mutually agreed, limited, equivalent land swaps;

       – security arrangements, including through a third-party presence, that guarantee and respect the sovereignty of a State of Palestine, including through a full and phased withdrawal of the Israeli occupying forces, which will end the occupation that began in 1967 over an agreed transition period in a reasonable timeframe, not to exceed the end of 2017, and that ensure the security of both Israel and Palestine through effective border security and by preventing the resurgence of terrorism and effectively addressing security threats, including emerging and vital threats in the region;

       – a just and agreed solution to the Palestine refugee question on the basis of Arab Peace Initiative, international law and relevant United Nations resolutions, including resolution 194 (III);

       – a just resolution of the status of Jerusalem as the capital of the two States which fulfils the legitimate aspirations of both parties and protects freedom of worship;

       – the just settlement of all other outstanding issues, including water and prisoners;

           3.       Recognizes that the final status agreement shall put an end to the occupation and an end to all claims and lead to immediate mutual recognition;

           4.       Affirms that the definition of a plan and schedule for implementing the security arrangements shall be placed at the centre of the negotiations within the framework established by this resolution;

           5.       Looks forward to welcoming Palestine as a full Member State of the United Nations within the timeframe defined in the present resolution;

           6.       Urges both parties to engage seriously in the work of building trust and to act together in the pursuit of peace by negotiating in good faith and refraining from all acts of incitement and provocative acts or statements, and also calls upon all States and international organizations to support the parties in confidence-building measures and to contribute to an atmosphere conducive to negotiations;

           7.       Calls upon all parties to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 12 August 1949;

           8.       Encourages concurrent efforts to achieve a comprehensive peace in the region, which would unlock the full potential of neighbourly relations in the Middle East and reaffirms in this regard the importance of the full implementation of the Arab Peace Initiative;

           9.       Calls for a renewed negotiation framework that ensures the close involvement, alongside the parties, of major stakeholders to help the parties reach an agreement within the established timeframe and implement all aspects of the final status, including through the provision of political support as well as tangible support for post-conflict and peace-building arrangements, and welcomes the proposition to hold an international conference that would launch the negotiations;

           10.     Calls upon both parties to abstain from any unilateral and illegal actions, as well as all provocations and incitement,  that could escalate tensions and undermine the viability and attainability of a two-State solution on the basis of the parameters defined in this resolution;

           10bis. Reiterates its demand in this regard for the complete cessation of all Israeli settlement activities in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem;

           11.     Calls for immediate efforts to redress the unsustainable situation in the Gaza Strip, including through the provision of expanded humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian civilian population via the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East and other United Nations agencies and through serious efforts to address the underlying issues of the crisis, including consolidation of the ceasefire between the parties;

           12.     Requests the Secretary-General to report on the implementation of this resolution every three months;

                13.          Decides to remain seized of the matter.

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