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| Ban Ki-moon briefing Security Council members in New York via video link from Egypt [PHOTO: UNifeed] |
New York: United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the
announcement of a Gaza ceasefire and commended Palestinian
and Israeli leaders for "stepping back from the brink".
Following a truce deal between Israel and Palestinians
Ban Ki-moon briefed the members of the Security Council in New York, via video
link from Egypt.
The Secretary-General commended Egyptian President Mohammed
Morsi for his "exceptional leadership", and stressed that the focus
now "must be on ensuring the ceasefire holds and that all those in need in
Gaza – and there are many - receive the humanitarian assistance they
need".
While noting the relief for the people of Gaza and Israel,
and for the international community that the violence was stopping, Ban also
warned that there were many details that needed to be solidified "for a
broad durable ceasefire to take firm hold of the longer term".
He stressed that that it was imperative for both sides to
stick to the ceasefire in order for
"underlying issues to be addressed in a sustainable fashion".
Ban pointed out his consistent condemnation of
indiscriminate rocket fire from Gaza into Israel, but at the same time said he
believed "the excessive and disproportionate use of force that endangers
civilian lives is intolerable".
He said "put simply all parties must respect
international humanitarian law to ensure the protection of all civilians at all
times".
The Secretary-General told council members that once the
calm was fully restored, a broader ceasefire would need to address "all
the underlying causes of conflict, including a full opening of the crossings;
Palestinian reconciliation, and an end to weapons smuggling. It is clear the
international community must speak with one voice to prevent a return to
violence".
Earlier, Ban travelled to Cairo where he met with
Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi to express his support for the Egyptian
President 's efforts to mediate a truce to end the fighting between Israel and
Hamas.
Before that Ban was in Ramallah in the West Bank, where he
met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. At a joint press conference
there, Ban assured the UN's commitment to provide humanitarian assistance to
the people of Gaza, including through the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
The Secretary-General also met other leaders in the region
over the last days, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,
Egyptian Prime Minister Hisham Mohamed Qandil and the Secretary-General of the
League of Arab States, Nabil Elaraby. - UNifeed