Annan denounces Israeli barbaric acts of aggression

United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan has accused Israel of being exaggerated in reaction to Netanya operation. In a statement described by Reuters as strongly worded, he expressed displeasure with the Israeli disproportionate reaction to horrific offensive in Netanya, an Egyptian report said.

In Cairo, Secretary-General of the Arab League Amr Moussa warned against the sustained deterioration in the Palestinian territories. Commenting on the guerrilla operation, he said Israel is to blame for this deterioration.

He called for putting an end to Israeli policy in the occupied lands which is threatening stability, peace and the lives of civilians on both side.

The Follow-up Committee, an offshoot of the Arab summit of October 2000, will hold an emergency session on Saturday at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo at Palestinians' request.

The committee, to convene for the first time since the Amman Arab Summit of March, will discuss the dangerous developments in the occupied lands as a result of the barbaric Israeli acts aggression.

The Committee comprises the League's Secretary General along with the Foreign Ministers of Egypt, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Lebanon, Bahrain Morocco, Tunisia and Yemen.

The Follow-up Committee is a vital mechanism that follows up the implementation of summits' resolutions and is to meet once every two months at ministerial level.