Concerned at Middle East violence, Annan urges steps to restore calm
Concerned at deadly violence today in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan called
for urgent steps to restore calm and to secure the release of all kidnapped persons.
Several people, including Palestinian police officers, have been killed, and a number of international personnel have
been kidnapped, a spokesman for Mr. Annan said in a statement released in New York.
The Secretary-General “calls for an immediate end to the violence, respect for civilian lives, and urgent steps to
restore calm,” Stephane Dujarric said. “The Secretary-General also calls for the immediate release of those who have
been kidnapped, and full respect of the safety of international personnel on the ground.”