SECRETARY-GENERAL CONCERNED AT CONTINUING VIOLENCE IN MIDDLE EAST

The following statement was issued on 26 July by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General remains gravely concerned at the continuing violence in the Middle East, including today’s attack near the town of Hebron in the West Bank in which four Israelis were killed.  He reiterates his condemnation of all attacks against civilians.  Such attacks cannot be justified by any objective.  The Secretary-General urges all concerned to end the cycle of violence and retaliation, and calls on the parties to return to the path of negotiations for a permanent settlement.

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