Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Friday tensions in the Middle East had not eased and called for further efforts to advance the peace process.
"Strong efforts are needed just to improve the situation, let alone resolve it," Medvedev said.
He said the situation in the Middle East had not improved since his visit to the Arab League headquarters in June 2009.
"The Palestinian issue is very complicated. The Gaza Strip is in a critical condition. It is deteriorating more and more each day. Therefore, much depends on the position of our countries," Medvedev said in reference to Russia and Arab League countries during a meeting with Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa, who is also participating in the St. Petersburg Economic Forum.
Moussa said the situation in the Middle East is going round in "a vicious circle."
"Israel is not ready for peace and proximity talks between Israel and Palestine have not given any results. What is happening now is just crisis management, but the problem has to be solved," Moussa said.
Moussa called the current situation "just a waste of time."
The events should be evaluated in early fall, and if talks do not lead to significant progress but to further misunderstanding, it will be reasonable to put a halt on talks and hand the problem over to the UN, he said.
"Israeli-Palestinian talks were allotted 120 days," he said. "What next?" he asked.
ST. PETERSBURG, June 18 (RIA Novosti)
