UN ?shocked? over killing of Israeli civilians

A senior United Nations official has expressed his shock over this evening?s killing of four Israelis in the West Bank, as long-awaited direct talks are set to begin later this week in Washington between Israelis and Palestinians.

According to media reports, the four slain civilians were killed as they were travelling by car to Hebron.

?We condemn this murderous act and call for those responsible to be brought to justice,? Robert Serry, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, said in a statement issued in Jerusalem.

He urged all sides ?not to allow the enemies of peace to affect the negotiations about to be launched, and to progress with determination and courage on behalf of both peoples, towards a final settlement.?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas have agreed to direct negotiations starting on 2 September, following an invitation from the United States Government and a statement earlier this month from the Middle East Quartet.

In a statement issued on 21 August by his spokesperson, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said ?negotiations are on the only way for the parties to resolve all final status issues? and he called on both sides to demonstrate leadership and responsibility ?to realize the aspirations of both peoples.?

Direct bilateral talks have not been held since late 2008, but indirect, or proximity, talks resumed in May this year, with the former United States senator George Mitchell shuttling between Netanyahu and Abbas.

For its part, the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People on Tuesday welcomed the decision by Israelis and Palestinians to resume direct talks with the aim of resolving all permanent status issues.

?We are looking forward to a serious, time-bound, credible and comprehensive political dialogue with a clear agenda and terms of reference aimed at resolving? all permanent status issues ? including the status of Jerusalem ? by the 2011 target date, the body said in a statement.

The Committee stressed that it is essential that the parties adhere to their commitments, especially those within the framework of the Roadmap, the internationally approved plan for a two-State solution in which Israel and the Palestinians can live side by side in peace and security.

To this end, it said, Israel must maintain its current partial moratorium on settlement construction, as well as dismantling settlement outposts and ending evictions.

?We are also looking forward to a sustained and vigorous engagement by the international community, extending beyond the inaugural summit, which would translate into a credible mechanism to hold the parties to their obligations, monitor progress, and ensure that the negotiating process is conducted in good faith.?