The "window of opportunity" to revitalize the Middle East peace process that opened during the past year is still ajar, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said Monday.

Annan made the remarks in his latest report "Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine" to both the UN General Assembly and the Security Council.

He commended both Israeli Prime Minister Sharon for his political courage and steady commitment to disengagement, and the Palestinian Authority for its responsible behavior during this period, in facilitating a smooth and peaceful operation.

However, Annan noted that there are still setbacks in the peace process, including Israel's building of the separation barrier and the Palestinian Authority's failure to help restore law and order.

He said the events in the aftermath of disengagement illustrated the problems of unilateral actions, stressing that Israel has also failed to make progress on the implementation of its core commitments under the road map drawn up by the mediating Quartet.

Annan urged the Israeli government "to address its security concerns in a manner that will not increase suffering among Palestinians, prejudge final status issues, or threaten longer- term prospects for peace by making the creation of a viable and contiguous Palestinian State more difficult."

The settlements and "Israel's continued construction of the barrier in the West Bank, which encroaches on Palestinian land" constitute a key challenge to the fulfillment of goal of the road map, the Secretary-General added.

Meanwhile, he called on the Palestinian Authority to push ahead with efforts to reform the Palestinian security services, saying " decisive action in this regard should help to restore law and order."

Source: Xinhua