Lavrov: Israeli settlement halt 'insufficient'

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has asked Israel for more commitment to the peace process, saying a decision to limit some aspects of settlement construction is not enough.

"We have approved [Benjamin] Netanyahu's decision to impose a 10-month moratorium on some aspects of settlement construction," Russian news agencies quoted Lavrov as saying on Tuesday

During a speech at the University of Global Economy and Diplomacy in the Uzbek capital, Tashkent, Russia's top envoy highlighted that although he believed the step was in the right direction, it still required improvement.

"The step is correct but clearly not sufficient," he added.

His remarks referred to a late November decision announced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that construction would be limited in the occupied West Bank, but not in East Jerusalem Al-Quds.

Netanyahu added that the halt to the construction of illegal settlements — one of the main issues impeding the peace efforts — was not permanent and that settlement activity would resume once the temporary moratorium is over.

The settlements have also embittered Israel's relations with its main strategic ally, the United States.

On Monday, Lavrov said the United Nations needed to play a larger role in finding a solution to the Middle East conflict.

The visiting foreign minister also held talks with his Uzbek Counterpart Vladimir Norov and is expected to meet with Uzbek President Islam Karimov later on Tuesday.