VIOLENCE BETWEEN ISRAELIS, PALESTINIANS MUST BE HALTED, SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General is increasingly concerned at the intensifying cycle of violence, reprisals and counter-violence between Israel and the Palestinians, culminating in the latest shocking wave over the weekend and today.  The violence between the two sides must be brought to a halt forthwith.

The Secretary-General strongly urges all concerned to exercise maximum restraint and to remember that, in the end, there will still have to be a peaceful settlement of the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.  He strongly believes that only the resumption of a meaningful dialogue will facilitate the achievement of a lasting ceasefire and a just, lasting and comprehensive solution.

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