UNITED NATIONS — The Quartet of Mideast mediators — the United Nations, United States, European Union and Russia — is welcoming the "courageous decision" of the Israeli and Palestinian leaders to begin final status negotiations aimed at a two-state solution to the decades-old conflict.
The Quartet pledged in a statement Tuesday to support the efforts of the parties to achieve a solution within nine months. It called on the Israelis and Palestinians "to take every possible step to promote conditions conducive to the success of the negotiating process, and to refrain from actions that undermine trust."
The Quartet expressed hope that renewed negotiations will be "substantive and continuous" and set a clear path toward lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians.
It said Quartet envoys intend to meet soon to discuss next steps.
