Palestinian Ambassador to the U.N. Riyad Mansour told the council, “We are at a crossroads, and we are ready to seriously engage in direct negotiations in good faith.” “If the opportunity for peace before us is lost, it will not be for lack of commitment by the Palestinian side or lack of effort by the international community, including the Arab States, whose Peace Initiative stands,” Mansour insisted. “Israel must choose peace, security, and coexistence over the continued occupation and domination of another people.” July’s council president, U.S. Ambassador Rosemary DiCarlo, told the meeting that the challenges require some “very tough” choices in the days ahead. “Today, however, we are hopeful because the representatives of two proud peoples have decided that the difficult road ahead is worth traveling and that the daunting challenges that we face are worth tackling,” DiCarlo said. --SPA 11:30 LOCAL TIME 08:30 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/1131880