USA: Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert meets with U.N. secreatary-general, Ban Ki-Moon to discuss cisis in the Middle East

Record ID: 560643

  • Title: USA: Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert meets with U.N. secreatary-general, Ban Ki-Moon to discuss cisis in the Middle East
  • Date: 18th June 2007
  • Summary: (W4) NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (JUNE 17, 2007) (AGENCY POOL) SECURITY AND TRAFFIC AROUND THE BUILDING WHERE ISRAEL PRIME MINISTER EHUD OLMERT AND UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY GENERAL BAN KI-MOON BAN MET
  • Embargoed: 3rd July 2007 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA3F132JDUTKHND1RRWN58ILZRJ
  • Story Text: Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert meets with U.N. secretary-general Ban Ki-Moon in New York to discuss the growing crisis in the Middle East. Olmert is particularly concerned about the rocket attack from Lebanon on the Israeli town of Kiryat Shmona. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert arrived in New York City on Sunday (June 17) on the the same day that the Northern Israeli town of Kiyryat was attacked from Lebanon without casualties.
    The Israeli prime minister said that Palestinians could be behind the attack and highlighted the importance of United Nations peacekeeping force and the Lebanese army to prevent the escalation of violence in the region.
    "Most likely this is an attack by Palestinian, small Palestinian group, but of course re-emphasizes the importance of the role that the UNIFIL and the Lebanese army's role ought to be in the south of Lebanon and this is something that probably we'll have a chance to discuss," he said.
    Both UNIFIL -- the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon -- and the Lebanese army widened their deployment to keep the peace along the Israeli frontier after last year's war between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah guerrillas.
    U.N. secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, speaking to reporters at Israeli Ambassador Dan Gillerman's home, concentrated on the peace process in the Middle East.
    He responded by saying that the international community was extremely concerned about the conditions in the region and he emphasized a growing humanitarian crisis.
    "Also a great source of concern is this set-back in terms of humanitarian, security and peace process in the middle East. I would like to exchange views with Prime Minister Olmert over lunch how to address these very serious situation which we are facing."
    Prime Minister Olmert will meet with President George W. Bush on Tuesday (June 19) in Washington.
    They are expected to discuss the empowerment of moderates among the Palestinians. -- probably referring to President Mahmoud Abbas and the cabinet of political independents he has formed.
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