World leaders meet for peace in Gaza

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Source: CCTV.com | 01-19-2009 09:55

A summit aiming to shore up the newly declared ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has come to a close in Sharm El-Sheik in Egypt.

At Sunday's meeting, European and Arab leaders pressed for an end to weapons smuggling into Gaza, as well as for the opening of the border crossings to let in desperately needed humanitarian aid.

(From L to R) French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Jordanian King Abdullah II,  Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero are seen at a press conference after an international summit on Gaza crisis on Gaza in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on Jan. 18, 2009.(Xinhua/Wang Wei)

European and Arab leaders say the two sides must try to turn a shaky ceasefire into lasting peace. They say three weeks of fighting in Gaza demonstrated the necessity for a comprehensive peace deal.

Hosni Mubarak, Egyptian President, said, "We'll continue with our efforts to help consolidate the cease-fire, to see to it that Israel withdraws its forces from Gaza, and to continue to assist in prolonging the truce, opening the crossings, and lifting the blockade."

UN Chief Ban Ki-moon also urged the Palestinian side to try to resolve all their grievances through dialogue.

He said an international team would compile a report on humanitarian needs in the region.