New York, USA - July 23, 2024

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the Beijing Declaration signed by Palestinian factions, an important step towards furthering Palestinian unity, Stephane Dujarric, chief spokesman for Guterres said on Tuesday.

The agreement on ending division and strengthening Palestinian national unity was signed by 14 Palestinian factions including Hamas and Fatah after their three-day reconciliation dialogue in Beijing from Sunday to Tuesday.

At a press briefing, Dujarric said the secretary-general has been closely following the new agreement brokered by China and called for the factions to adhere to their commitments.

Guterres also appreciates the efforts made by countries including China in facilitating the process, Dujarric stated, stressing the importance of unity for Palestinian people.

Shotlist:
FILE: UN Headquarters, New York City - Date Unknown
1. UN headquarters;
UN Headquarters, New York City - July 23, 2024
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Stephane Dujarric, chief spokesman, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres:
"He very much welcomes the signing of the Beijing Declaration by the Palestinian factions. I think this is an important step towards furthering Palestinian unity. The Secretary-General encourages all factions to overcome their differences through dialogue and urges them to follow up on the commitments that were made in Beijing Declaration they signed onto.";
Beijing, China - July 23, 2024
3. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, representatives of main Palestinian factions posing for group photos;
UN Headquarters, New York City - July 23, 2024
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Stephane Dujarric, chief spokesman, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres:
"Palestinian unity, as we've said many a time, is crucial for peace and security and for advancing the aspirations of the Palestinian people for self-determination and for a fully independent, democratic, contiguous, viable and sovereign Palestinian State. I would also add that of course the Secretary-General appreciates the efforts made by the People's Republic of China as well as efforts of other countries involved in facilitating the process. We remain committed to working with all stakeholders towards a comprehensive resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.";
FILE: New York City, USA - Date Unknown
5. UN headquarters, other buildings, river;
FILE: UN Headquarters, New York City - Date Unknown
6. UN flag;
7. UN logo;

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