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U.S. Calls for Unconditional Cease-fire in Middle East
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell on Friday called for an unconditional cessation of violence in the Middle East and urged all leaders in the region to support the U.S. appeal.
"What we need now, more than anything else is a cessation of violence by all," Powell said at a joint press conference here with visiting Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov.
"Unless there is an unconditional cessation of the violence, it is hard to get to step two. It is hard to get to the confidence- building measures. It is hard to get back on a satisfactory negotiating track," he said.
The secretary urged leaders in the region to speak out against violence more directly and "do everything they can to control passions" in the troubled region.
Powell made the appeal in reaction to a suicide bombing accident which took place in Israel earlier on Friday. Several people were killed and 110 others injured when an Arab young man blew himself up near a crowded shopping mall in Israel.
Hamas, a militant Islamic group, claimed responsibility for the bombing. In retaliation, Israeli warplanes struck Palestinian security headquarters on the West Bank later Friday, killing at least nine people.
According to U.S. officials, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon called Powell on Friday afternoon to discuss the worsening situation.
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