Ban Ki-moon in Israel and West Bank

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is in Israel and the West Bank on Saturday for a visit which includes talks with Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and senior Israeli officials. His visit comes a day after the Middle East Quartet called for a halt to settlement construction. Ban met with Fayyad in Ramallah before an expected visit to the Gaza Strip.

Photo: Reuters

"The Quartet has sent a clear and strong message. We are strongly supporting your efforts to establish an independent and viable Palestinian state," Ban told Fayyad ahead of their talks.

Following a meeting in Moscow, the Quartet issued a statement on Friday calling for a stop to settlement construction.

It also urged the Israelis and Palestinians agree on some kind of peace deal within the next 24 months.

Ban held a press conference with Fayyad on Saturday, he will then meet with senior Israeli officials and visit the Gaza Strip.