Russian FM questions efficiency of U.S. Mideast peace plan

Sergei Lavrov

MOSCOW, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has raised doubts about the efficiency of the U.S.' plan for a peaceful settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, known as the "Deal of the Century."

Washington's proposal for a solution through unilateral concessions favor Israel, Lavrov said in an interview with Italian newspaper La Stampa, which was published by the Russian Foreign Ministry Monday.

Such an approach is unlikely to help rectify the situation, and this is also indicated by the fact that the U.S. plan is categorically rejected by the Palestinians, the minister added.

Washington has essentially ignored the universally recognized international legal basis for a Middle East settlement, which includes the resolutions of the United Nations (UN) Security Council, the UN General Assembly and the Arab Peace Initiative, he said.

Last month, U.S. President Donald Trump announced his 80-page plan for peace in the Middle East in the presence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The proposal outraged the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, who demonstrated and clashed with Israeli soldiers against the plan.