UNITED NATIONS, July 22 (Xinhua) -- The top UN political official on Tuesday welcomed recent positive moves towards peace that have been made in the Middle East, but sounded the alarm on the lack of progress in the West Bank.

"During a month that saw a number of encouraging developments across the Middle East, we are particularly heartened by the progress in Lebanon, where a major step forward was taken with the announcement of a national unity government," Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Lynn Pascoe said in his briefing to the Security Council on the latest developments in the region.

He also cited the indirect talks between Israel and Syria, along with the continued cease-fire and drop in violence in Gaza, as hopeful developments.

"We are concerned, however, about the lack of improvement in the situation on the ground in the West Bank," Pascoe told the 15-member body at a periodic open debate on the region.

In parallel with the consolidation of the cessation of hostilities in Gaza, he said it is important to speed up progress in the West Bank, where he said that Israeli military operations have intensified since June 19.

On the humanitarian front, he said he was pleased that the number of truckloads entering Gaza from Israel has surged over 50 percent in the four weeks following the cease-fire.

Regarding Lebanon, he applauded the "major step forward" taken on July 11 when President Michel Suleiman said that agreement had been reached on a national unity government.

"The United Nations looks forward to working closely with the new Government, Pascoe said.