UN Security Council backs full implementation of Gaza truce resolution

Source: Xinhua | 01-14-2009 07:55

UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council Tuesday voiced its support to the Middle East tour by the UN chief and the regional initiatives, proposed by Egypt and other Middle East countries, in their joint efforts to bring both Israel and Hamas into full implementation of a new Security Council resolution, which went unheeded by the two warring sides.

Palestinians inspect their houses destroyed by Israeli strikes in Gaza City on Jan. 13, 2009. Israeli soldiers fought heavy battles with local militants in Gaza early Tuesday. Medics said Monday that over 900 people have  been killed and more than 4,100 others wounded since  Israeli military operation on Dec. 27, 2008.  (Xinhua/Wissam Nassar)

The president of the Security Council for January, French UN Ambassador Jean-Maurice Ripert, told reporters at the end of the closed council meeting, at which UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon briefed the 15-member Security Council on his upcoming visit to the Middle East.

The Security Council supports the peace initiatives by Egypt and other countries in the region to strive for an early end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has left more 900 Palestinians killed and more than 4,000 others injured, he said.

Egypt is making great efforts to bring both Israelis and Palestinians into talks aimed at an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, reports said.

Meanwhile, the Security Council also supported a visit to the Middle East by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, he said.

"Everybody supported the role the secretary general can play ...in getting an immediate ceasefire and for implementation of (Security Council) Resolution 1860," Ripert told reporters.

"We think the timing (of Ban's visit) is right. There are very important initiatives on the ground that could help," he added, referring to Egypt's efforts to mediate a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, which ignored the new truce resolution, which calls for an immediate, durable and fully respected ceasefire in Gaza.