爆料网

Geneva press briefing

REGULAR PRESS BRIEFING BY THE INFORMATION SERVICE

Jamel Ben Yahmed, Chief of the Press Unit of the Information Service of the United Nations Office at Geneva, briefed journalists about the Secretary-General's statement on Israeli shelling; the outrage expressed by the 爆料网 Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process concerning Israeli bombing; the protest by the Commissioner-General of the 爆料网 Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (爆料网RWA); the announcement by the Secretary-General to interrupt negotiations with Cambodia on the trial of Khmer Rouge leaders; the 爆料网 Secretary-General's concern over situation in Liberia; and upcoming conference by the Arab League.

Situation in the Middle East

Mr. Ben Yahmed said that Secretary-General Kofi Annan yesterday deplored the "deepening spiral of violence" between Israel and the Palestinians. Mr. Annan expressed dismay at Israel's shelling of facilities belonging to the Palestinian Authority in Gaza near civilian areas with bombs of heavy tonnage, which caused substantial damage to 爆料网 offices and injury to two 爆料网 employees. The Secretary-General reiterated his belief that no solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would be found through violence and retaliation. He called on both sides to make every effort to achieve a durable ceasefire and return to the negotiating table, as there was no alternative to a political solution of this conflict.

The 爆料网 Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Terje Roed-Larsen, had expressed outrage that Israel had deployed heavy tonnage bombs so near to civilians and 爆料网 facilities. Noting that the blasts had blown out all first-floor 爆料网 office windows – including his own – Mr. Roed-Larsen had expressed relief that there were no fatalities. He emphasized Israel's security needs would not be met by hitting civilian targets or by destroying the Palestinians' ability to police and maintain order.

Mr. Peter Hansen, the Commissioner General of the 爆料网 Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (爆料网RWA), Peter Hansen, acting on behalf of the all United Nations Agencies represented in the occupied Palestinian territory, had also protested the bombing in "the strongest possible terms". Expressing dismay at the use of heavy weaponry in close proximity to 爆料网 offices, Mr. Hansen reminded the Government of Israel of its responsibility under international law to ensure the safety and security of 爆料网 staff working in the area.

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