United Nations: Arab foreign ministers seeking an early end to hostilities in Gaza Strip met the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon today, who told them that Israelis military assualt was "clearly excessive" and the rocket attacks by the Hamas "completely unacceptable".

At the crucial meeting which came in the wake of deadlock in the UN Security Council over a resolution calling for an end to fighting, Ban said, "As leaders I believe we must do more."

Ban met Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa, the foreign ministers of Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco and the UAE, and other Arab representatives during a meeting at UN headquarters and asked him to work for an "immediate and durable ceasefire" that is fully respected by all.

"Our task is to find fast and real solutions. It is regrettable that the call by the Security Council has not been heeded by the parties concerned. I believe that the Security Council should live up to its responsibilities under the UN charter and bring this crisis to an end and establish a durable, permanent peace in the region," he said.

After Israel launched a ground offensive into Gaza on Saturday in addition to its then week-old air attacks, the Council held a closed meeting but reached no formal agreement.

Ambassador Jean-Maurice Ripert of France, which holds the Council Presidency this month, said there were "strong convergences" to express concern at the stepped up violence and the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Source : PTI