U.N. Chief, Swedish Prime Minister Support Middle East Peace ProcessU.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson on Thursday reiterated their strong support for the Middle East peace process.In a statement which was released by U.N. spokesman's office after they held talks in the phone, Annan and Goran Persson expressed the hope that it will be possible for Israeli and Palestinian sides to return to the negotiations table soon after the Israeli prime ministerial elections on February 6. The statement said the U.N. chief and the Swedish prime minister had conveyed to the parties their conviction that it is possible to reach an agreement in the near future, and had encouraged the parties vigorously to continue the peace process on the basis of the progress made in Taba, Egypt. They expressed their continuing readiness and commitment to assist the peace process in any way possible. The U.N. chief and the prime minister also urged the parties to implement outstanding agreements, including the Sharm-el-sheikh understandings. Expressing their concern over the fragile situation in the region, the U.N. chief and the prime minister called upon the parties to refrain from any actions that might provoke further violence. The U.N. spokesman's office said Annan and Goran Persson have had regular contacts with the Israeli and Palestinian leaders over the past week, during and following the recent rounds of negotiations. According to reports, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak decided Thursday not to meet with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat early next week. The decision was taken due to continued violence in the Palestinian territories and the upcoming Israeli prime ministerial election. |
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