"We now have an opening to develop a serious and substantial political initiative to achieve the negotiated two-state solution that we all hope for and that will best serve the interests, rights and aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians alike," Robert Serry, the UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, said in his briefing to the UN Security Council.

　　"The months ahead will not be easy," he said. "Both sides will now have to demonstrate political will and determination to make progress, and concerted action by the international community, including the region, will be needed to support their efforts."

　　The UN envoy noted that with people in the Middle East facing a period of "extraordinary challenges and turmoil," establishing the groundwork necessary for a credible Israeli-Palestinian peace process remains a core priority for the UN. The visit by U.S. President Barack Obama to the region last week marks an important opportunity to reinvigorate efforts towards a two-state solution, he added.

　　The two-state solution, widely backed by the international community, means an independent State of Palestine to live in peace with a secure State of Israel.

　　Serry made the statement after the Palestinian leadership accepted a U.S. request to engage in exploratory talks in preparation for resuming direct peace negotiations with Israel, which were stalled in 2010.

　　Both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas reiterated their commitment to the two- State solution as essentially the only prospect for the future of Israelis and Palestinians, "while they undeniably differ on its terms, and on how to attain it," said Serry.

　　"It is incumbent upon us as the United Nations, and the international community, to help them bridge those differences," he stated. "Much work lies ahead. We should not underestimate the difficulties, but neither should we belittle the real possibility to overcome them."

　　"It is now time for all of us to come together in concerted action and support a serious international initiative, including through a revitalized Quartet that engages more broadly with key Arab partners, regional and other stakeholders," he added, referring to the diplomatic grouping bringing together the UN, the European Union, Russia and the United States in search of promoting the Middle East peace process on the basis of the two- state solution.