Published: April 09, 2011
Ban: 'Urgent Need for a Way Forward' in Middle East Peace Process
Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon today met Israeli President Shimon Peres to discuss "the urgent need for a way forward" in the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians.
Mr. Ban and Mr. Peres also discussed the continuing impasse in the Middle East peace process at a meeting today at United Nations Headquarters in New York.
During the meeting Mr. Ban repeated his condemnation of recent rocket fire towards southern Israel from Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip, and voiced serious concern about Palestinian civilian casualties from Israeli military operations.
The Secretary-General called for maximum restraint, echoing a statement his spokesperson issued late yesterday after the recent escalation of violence between the two sides.
Mr. Ban and Mr. Peres also discussed the report of a UN fact-finding mission into the deadly conflict in Gaza in December 2008 and January 2009, also known as the Goldstone report, as well as other regional developments.
Source: United Nations