SECRETARY-GENERAL URGES MIDEAST PARTIES TO EXERCISE MAXIMUM RESTRAINT

The following statement was issued this morning by the Office of the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General urges the parties in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to exercise maximum restraint so that a total collapse of the ceasefire can be prevented.  He renews his call to take concrete steps towards implementation of the Mitchell report, and urges both sides to work with third parties in doing so.

As to the most recent incidents along the Blue Line in Lebanon and the Israeli attack against Syrian targets, the Secretary-General reiterates his urgent appeal that all violations of the line must be stopped forthwith to avoid a potential escalation.

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