UN HEAD CONGRATULATES NETANYAHU ON RE-ELECTION

New York, 2 Jumadil Akhir 1436/22 March 2015 (MINA) – UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has congratulated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on his re-election. A statement from the UN head says that Ban is “looking forward” to working with the Likud Party leader.

In a phone call, Ban told Netanyahu that he looks forward “to working with the new government upon its formation.” Middle East Monitor (MEMO) quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

He also reiterated his view that “the two-state solution is the only way forward” and urged the prime minister to renew Israel’s commitment to that goal, said a spokesman.

“The secretary-general also urged the prime minister to release the tax revenue currently held by Israel but owed to the Palestinian Authority,” he added.

Likud won 23.4 per cent of the votes in the Israeli general election this week; the centre Zionist Camp bloc got 18.6 per cent and the Joint Arab List got 10.54 per cent.

During his election campaign, Netanyahu pledged to ignore the two-state solution, keep Jerusalem “united” and intensify settlement building in the occupied Palestinian territories. (T/P002/P3)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)