Ban Ki-moon urges ‘utmost restraint’

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urges “utmost restraint” after Israel and Hamas agree to begin a new, 72-hour truce Tuesday.

Ban urges both sides to “commence, as soon as possible, talks in Cairo on a durable ceasefire and the underlying issues,” his office says hours after the announcement was made.

“In this regard, he welcomes the proactive engagement of the Palestinian delegation under the leadership of President Abbas.”

Talks between the two sides are “the only way to sustainably stop the violence, which has cost far too many lives,” Ban says, promising the UN’s “full support.”

Envoys from all of the world body’s 193 member countries are due to meet in a full UN General Assembly on Wednesday to hear top officials report on the crisis.

— AFP

Most Popular