To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they continue to support the Arab League peace initiative; and whether they will work to ensure that multi-lateral conversations start this year. [HL4123]

The UK remains committed to supporting the Arab peace initiative (API). My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary reiterated the UK's support to the API in his statement at the UN Security Council on 11 May 2009. The UK sees the API as an essential basis for progressing towards peace in the Middle East.

We will continue to maintain contact with Israeli, Palestinian, Arab and other international leaders to do all we can to drive the peace process forward.