BEIRUT: President Michel Sleiman criticized Thursday a decision by the Jewish state to construct further settler homes in occupied East Jerusalem.

“Israel's decision to build 1,100 settler homes spanning 148 acres in the Gilo area that is close to Bethlehem in the West Bank that has been condemned internationally is a blow to Middle East peace efforts,” Sleiman said in a statement released by his office.

Israel approved Tuesday the construction of 1,100 homes for Jews on land in the occupied West Bank, in a move that has been criticized by the U.S., EU, China and Russia as well as other major powers.

Sleiman said the move was also counterproductive at a time when the Security Council is studying a request by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to secure U.N. recognition of a Palestinian state.

The president’s comments came following several meetings, including talks with U.N. Special Coordinator to Lebanon Michael Williams.

Sleiman and Williams discussed the work of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon in the south of the country as well as the coordination between the Lebanese Army and the U.N. peacekeepers in working toward the implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701. the two also discussed the need to pressure Israel into abiding by the resolution which ended the July-August 2006 war between Lebanon and the Jewish state.

Sleiman also awarded Williams, whose tenure ends this month, the commander grade of the National Order of the Cedar.

The U.K. diplomat will present his last briefing on Lebanon to U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in early October.