(VOVworld) – The UN Security Council on Tuesday opened discussions on the Middle East situation with the Israel-Palestine peace negotiations and Syria crisis being high on the agenda. 15 member states heard a report from Under Secretary General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman drawing an overall picture of the region. They touched upon measures to restore regional security.

Regarding the Israel-Palestine peace progress, Feltman expressed his concern over "a significant setback" resulting from Israel’s plan to expand Jewish settlement areas in the occupied Palestinian territory.

Israel's intention to expand the resettlement in the West Bank may step down its peace talks with Palestine. (Photo: Reuters)

He urged the international community to join efforts to speed up the peace talks and prevent the possibility of conflict between the Israelis, Hamas, and several other Arabic resistance movements. The UN official also called for an end to the provision of arms, personnel, and other aid to parties in Syria in the hope of ending its 3-year civil war.