UN Security Council denounces confrontation in West Bank, backs peace

The UN Security Council denounced the confrontations that recently took place in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank between Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli troops, calling for the utmost self-control.

Kenya's representative at the UN, who is also the chairman of the current session, said in a statement he read to journalists following consultations by the UN Security Council that the council denounced "the confrontation in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip" which resulted in several killings and woundings. His statement offered consolation to the families of the victims who fell during the confrontation and reiterated support for the Middle East peace process.

Earlier the UN chief Kofi Annan asserted the need to exert relentless efforts to break the deadlock in the Palestinian-Israeli peace talks. "Such a matter requires middle solutions and flexibility by the two sides," Annan said. He expressed hope that efforts already made by US President Bill Clinton, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, the Palestinians and the Israelis will positive results.

Annan indicated that he urged the Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu during their meeting at UN headquarters last Friday to make a move on the Palestinian- Israeli peace talks. "Such a move will calm down several tensions in the region," the UN chief said.