Partners in peace still committed to two-state solution


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We say goodbye to 2012 without regret. 2012 has been a very difficult year for the peace-loving people of this region: in Gaza and the West Bank, and in Israel. But 2013 can be different, if we have the collective political will to make it so - to make 2013 the year of peace.

For that wish to become reality, we need a new US-led peace initiative as soon as possible, early in the first year of President Barack Obama's second term of office.

The US president knows the issues well. His initiative will need to be backed strongly by the European states, and to obtain full engagement both by the Palestinian leadership and the Israeli government formed after the January 22 elections there.

That will require bold and decisive leadership from both parties to this conflict, which has lasted for too long, and from the United States, which is uniquely able to influence both parties to enter into credible negotiations, without preconditions, leading to a permanent agreement resolving all issues and ending all disputed claims.

Achieving a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is one of Britain's top international priorities.

We support a negotiated agreement leading to a safe and secure Israel living alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state, based on 1967 borders, with agreed land swaps, with Jerusalem as the shared capital of both states and with a just, fair and agreed settlement for refugees.

That is the only way to secure a sustainable end to the conflict. To achieve it will require a US-led effort on a scale not seen since the Oslo Accords.

The impasse in the peace process over the last two years has harmed the interests of the people directly affected by this conflict, and the interests of the international community. We need to break this vicious circle of absence of talks and lack of trust.

That will require efforts from all sides, including the Palestinian leadership and all of the neighbours of the Palestinian people as well.

In the last two years, we have witnessed systematic settlement expansion; this has been condemned by the United Kingdom's government and by the international community, since settlements undermine the foundations of a two-state solution, which is in real and present danger.

All settlements are contrary to international humanitarian law, and are thus illegal. The creation of new settlements, such as Givat Hamatos or E1, is contrary to commitments made under the 2002 Roadmap.

In our view, the best response to such provocative settlement expansion is to maintain the focus on the goal of a negotiated, just and lasting agreement, and once more to offer the hand of peace.

We know that President Mahmoud Abbas is a man of courage, a man of peace. We respect him and his powers of leadership.

The present impasse benefits only those who want to build settlements. A comprehensive peace agreement can end the unsustainable situation in Gaza and the West Bank, which remains our goal.

For the people of Gaza and of Israel we wish peace in 2013. We support the courageous efforts of Egypt to secure a lasting ceasefire.

Children in Israel and in Gaza need to be able to go to school without fear. We want to see Gaza rebuild its future - a future tied indissolubly to the West Bank, as envisaged by President Abbas, with free movement of goods, services and people.

The Palestinian Authority is the legitimate authority in Gaza, as in the West Bank. We firmly support the Palestinian Authority, which has passed the test of carrying out the functions of a state, and deserves and needs to succeed.

So we call on the Israeli government to resume the transfer of Palestinian tax revenues to the Palestinian Authority, and we ask Arab states to fulfil their commitments to the PA in this time of need. The British ministry of international development will continue to invest more than $150 million (Dh551m) a year to help Palestinian development in 2013, and beyond.

For 2013, the Palestinian people deserve to enjoy the same rights and dignity as the people of any other nation on Earth, living side by side in peace and security with all their neighbours: Israel, Egypt, Syria and Jordan.

Achieving this honourable goal is a shared responsibility, and a heavy one. If progress through negotiations is not made in 2013, then the two-state solution could become impossible to achieve.

The United Kingdom is prepared to play its part in 2013, in what needs to be the decisive year for peace in the Middle East.

Sir Vincent Fean is the British consul general in Jerusalem

Results

Stage seven

1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates, in 3:20:24

2. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers, at 1s

3. Pello Bilbao (ESP) Bahrain-Victorious, at 5s

General Classification

1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates, in 25:38:16

2. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers, at 22s

3. Pello Bilbao (ESP) Bahrain-Victorious, at 48s

Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
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What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

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4,872 matches 

1,942 teams

116 pitches

76 nations

26 UAE teams

15 Lebanese teams

2 Kuwaiti teams

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Traces%20of%20Enayat
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The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

Kamindu Mendis bio

Full name: Pasqual Handi Kamindu Dilanka Mendis

Born: September 30, 1998

Age: 20 years and 26 days

Nationality: Sri Lankan

Major teams Sri Lanka's Under 19 team

Batting style: Left-hander

Bowling style: Right-arm off-spin and slow left-arm orthodox (that's right!)

The White Lotus: Season three

Creator: Mike White

Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell

Rating: 4.5/5

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'Texas Chainsaw Massacre'

Rating: 1 out of 4

Running time: 81 minutes

Director: David Blue Garcia

Starring: Sarah Yarkin, Elsie Fisher, Mark Burnham

Lampedusa: Gateway to Europe
Pietro Bartolo and Lidia Tilotta
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The Sand Castle

Director: Matty Brown

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

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World Cricket League Division 2

In Windhoek, Namibia - Top two teams qualify for the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, which starts on March 4.

UAE fixtures

Thursday February 8, v Kenya; Friday February 9, v Canada; Sunday February 11, v Nepal; Monday February 12, v Oman; Wednesday February 14, v Namibia; Thursday February 15, final

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl

Power: 153hp at 6,000rpm

Torque: 200Nm at 4,000rpm

Transmission: 6-speed auto

Price: Dh99,000

On sale: now