Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman blasted the international community on Tuesday following a telephone conversation with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

"We are getting the feeling that all the efforts and positive steps Israel has made over the last year ... including the settlement freeze and the removal of checkpoints have been taken for granted by the international community," he said, adding, "In the end there has been no encouragement, nor a more objective or constructive attitude from the international community which, instead, has stepped up demands and pressure."

However, the Jewish State approved the construction of 1,600 homes for settlers in annexed East Jerusalem, a move certain to infuriate Palestinians who see settlements as a major hurdle in peace efforts.

The UN chief is due to visit the region over the weekend after attending a meeting of the Middle East diplomatic Quartet, which is made up of the European Union, Russia, the United Nations and the United States.

-AFP/NOW Lebanon

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