Israel - Palestine - 
Article published the Saturday 20 March 2010 - Latest update : Saturday 20 March 2010

Ban Ki-moon in Israel and West Bank

A Palestinian throws a stone towards Israeli police during clashes in the Shuafat refugee camp in the West Bank on 19 March
Photo: Reuters

By RFI

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.

"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.

tags: Ban Ki-moon - Israel - Palestine - United Nations
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