SECRETARY-GENERAL CONCERNED AT CONTINUING VIOLENCE IN MIDDLE EAST

The following statement was issued on 26 July by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General remains gravely concerned at the continuing violence in the Middle East, including today’s attack near the town of Hebron in the West Bank in which four Israelis were killed.� He reiterates his condemnation of all attacks against civilians.� Such attacks cannot be justified by any objective.� The Secretary-General urges all concerned to end the cycle of violence and retaliation, and calls on the parties to return to the path of negotiations for a permanent settlement.

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