UN Security Council backs full implementation of Gaza truce resolution

The new resolution reflects the unanimous will of the Security Council members and it should be fully observed, he said.

However, "nobody expects the resolution can be implemented in two hours," he said. "We are still thinking that ceasefire is possible."

Earlier Tuesday, Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian permanent observer to the United Nations, told reporters here that the Security Council has the responsibility to bring Israel into full implementation of the new truce resolution, which is legally binding.

The secretary-general kicks off his Middle East tour on Tuesday to press for the implementation of the resolution. He is scheduled to visit Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Palestine, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon and Kuwait to strengthen the joint diplomatic efforts to strive for an early end to the fighting.

At his first press conference for this year on Monday, Ban said, "My goal is to step up the pace of our joint diplomatic efforts and ensure that urgent humanitarian assistance reaches those in need."

At each stop of his week-long Middle East tour, "I will repeat my call for an immediate and durable cease and insist that Security Council Resolution 1860 be respected fully," Ban said. "To repeat, this means an immediate end to military operation in Gaza -- an end to Israel's offensive and a halt to the rocket attacks by Hamas."

Editor:Zhang Pengfei