UN chief satisfied with outcome of Annapolis Mideast peace conference

Source: Xinhua | 11-29-2007 09:22

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (R) meets with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon in Annapolis November 27, 2007. REUTERS/Loay Abu Haykel

UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is "very satisfied" with the outcome of the U.S.-sponsored Middle East peace conference held in Annapolis, Maryland, a UN spokesman said Wednesday.

The secretary general has called the conference "historic" and an initiative that deserves global support, associate spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters at the UN headquarters.

Haq noted that the UN chief had said that the Quartet principals have agreed to meet again next month in a follow-up to the Annapolis meeting.

Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert (R) shakes hands with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon during their meeting in Washington November 26, 2007. REUTERS/Avi Ohayon/GPO/Handout

In his comment on the conference, Ban also pointed to the need to deal with the situation in Gaza, home to some 1.4 million Palestinian people, Haq said.

Ban also said that the United Nations will continue to deal with President Mahmoud Abbas and to encourage the process between him and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Haq said.

The spokesman said the world body is committed to supporting that process and is hopeful that other parties will involve themselves in it.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei