Annan calls for sympathy with the Palestinians

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan stressed Syria's key role in the Middle East peace process, and called for implementing UN resolutions in order to reach a just and comprehensive peace in the region.

In a statement to the Saudi daily Okaz published yesterday in Riyadh, the UN chief noted that just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East is not attainable with out Syria. "I follow with great concern the international efforts exerted to give the Middle East peace process a push on all tracks," he said.

Annan reiterated the importance of implementing UN Security Council resolutions 242, 338 and 425, which provides for Israel's unconditional withdrawal from south Lebanon and its western Bekaa.

The UN chief also expressed sympathy with the Palestinians. "Everybody who has reason should sympathize with the Palestinians in order to salvage the Palestinian - Israeli negotiations," he concluded.