MANABA, May 31. /TASS/. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Bahraini counterpart, Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, urged the resumption of direct talks between the Palestinians and Israel on Tuesday.

The simmering conflict has for many decades been a source of tension and is now raising particularly serious concerns, Lavrov told a news conference following a meeting with his colleague.

"There is an international legal basis" for resuming the dialog, Lavrov said. "There is the Arab Peace Initiative, which has been supported by all sides, including at the United Nations Organization. And we think it absolutely essential to step up related efforts, including as part of the Quartet of Principals and Arab League nations.".