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U.N. Chief: Cease-fire May Come 'Soon'

January 15, 2009 8:17 AM

By LAMA HASAN, ABC News Correspondent, Jerusalem

We're on Day 2 of the U.N. secretary-general's whirlwind tour of the Middle East and on the third stop in Jerusalem. During a news conference with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed his outrage at the Israeli shelling of another U.N. installation. He said he’d spoken to Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak and protested the attack, demanding a full investigation. Barak said Israel was taking the incident seriously.

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The secretary-general said his visit comes at a difficult time for Israel and comes with a heavy heart. He also condemned the firing of rockets from Gaza and said it's an act of terrorism and must cease.

He added that from the meetings he'd had thus far he believes some elements are in place for a cease-fire to come “reasonably soon.” Livni responded, saying that Israel will take it on a day-by-day basis.

On the diplomatic front, there's been a flurry of activity. A delegation from Hamas was in Cairo, Egypt, Tuesday. While the Hamas delegation says it agrees in principle to the Egyptian initiative, it still has issues with some points, namely the duration of the cease-fire and the need to reopen the Gaza border crossings.

Also, Israeli defense official Amos Gilad is in Cairo holding separate talks with Egyptian officials.

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January 15, 2009 in Lama Hasan | Permalink | User Comments (13)

User Comments

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By golly, if the UN chief is outraged he'd better have the UN issue another resolution fast. No telling how bad things will get if he doesn't.

Posted by: Publius | Jan 15, 2009 10:08:28 AM

Ridiculous. Obviously, Israel has decided to take an indiscriminate approach in their offensive.

Posted by: JOE | Jan 15, 2009 10:23:46 AM

SHAME ON THE WORLD AND AMERICAN ADMINISTRATION,AND ALSO MUSLIM WORLD LEADERS.NO ONE IN THE WORLD HASTO SAY TO ISRAEL STOP IT ALL FREE WORLD SLAVE OFISRAEL.

Posted by: SMKHAN | Jan 15, 2009 11:19:15 AM

I am also outraged about GAZA!!
I think the entire UN should move to the middle east so that they can have a more hands on approach. I would say good ridence to the UN! Useless organization.

Posted by: JimOnTheRight | Jan 15, 2009 12:08:00 PM

I owe a lot to individual Jews I have met, worked for and done business with. I have found them honest and compassionate. I do not miss an opportunity to repay their kindness, and often find easy friendship with Jews I meet.
But Israel is fast becoming a rogue state, ignoring UN resolutions,pounding civilian targets with merciless brutality,attacking UN installations, requesting our help for illegal attacks on other nations, actually having fewer scruples than George Bush. I can't get a handle on this. It doesn't compute.
I am beginning to feel a grudging admiration for these so called terrorists from Hamas who are essentially saying "Give me liberty, or give me death".

Posted by: Selbourne | Jan 15, 2009 12:30:45 PM

ABC, you relegate an issue as important to Humankind as Israel's 40-year, on-going, War Madness to Bloggers and simple posters, like me and the rest?

Have you no shame?

Maybe, if long ago, you and the rest of the MSM would have been printing the TRUTH about Israel's atrocities against the Palastinian people--now going on for over 40 years--some of these good people and right-wingers, posting their inept opinions here, would realize how our politicians (Republicans and Democrats) have shown over the years how they love Israel more than they love America. When I was a youn man I once had considered converting to a Jew and moving to Israel and help fight the Abrabs. I later discovered that I, like the rest of you Americans,had been and still are being outright lied to by Israel and the right-wing Jews in American.

I pray for Israel, for I now feel there is probably no hope for Her, no hope for so much evil and hate and malice in one very small nation to be governable by the sane.

Posted by: Gaylord Brubaker | Jan 15, 2009 1:51:19 PM

One thing to realize here that people all over the world are turning cold to Israel. It makes sense if we think reasonably because so many children and innocent people are being killed. But prophetically, we know that at the Armageddon war people will have "GOOD REASON" to war against Israel. We also know that when Israel is broken by many powerful nations like Russia, probably decided by UN security council, that their hearts will turn to God, their eyes opened to Jesus Christ and then Jesus will come directly to save Israel. So I speak to all those people whose hearts are turning cold against Israel, try to look at Israel's action in God's viewpoint. People will hate Israel for a "good reason", but how correct is our reasoning capacity?! Think people. Think. Do not let your so called reasonable thoughts delude you into talking against Israel, in fact against God Himself.

Posted by: WHISTLE | Jan 15, 2009 3:45:58 PM

Whistle. Wha? Don't you think that it's time to wakeup from the "Isreal is God's chosen nation" dream. Yes countries around the world are seeing just how evil the Israeli's really are. Why this country puts its name and reputation on the line for a bunch of murderers is beyond me. The U.N. is showing just how useless it is. If it's going to achieve anything it has to revamp its system. The idea of the permanent security council needs to be abolished. No one country should be able to hold the world hostage to its whims like the present system allows.

Posted by: Christopher Gilliard | Jan 15, 2009 4:33:52 PM

Whistle, Whistle, I am sure you mean well. I am sure you have a kind heart. Only, your words show you truly are persuaded by some Harry Potter-like fancies and fantasies. Please eat a healthy meal and get some fresh air and clear your mind and your heart.
And only then can you come to the Lord, come to the Truth.

Posted by: Gaylord Brubaker | Jan 15, 2009 5:16:41 PM

The IRA committed terrorist acts against the British for over 50 years, but England never bombed Ireland to kingdom come. Even on Bloody Sunday only 14 civilians were killed. This massive overreaction is unwarranted.

Posted by: 1bluestocking | Jan 16, 2009 1:55:16 AM

I second your comment Joe.We the people have lost our humanity because of ignorance,google "The Ring Of Power".

Posted by: A1 | Jan 17, 2009 2:53:57 PM

Some of you really don't know what they are talking about. As an israeli, I can say that you don't have the right to judge us. You should all be ashamed for telling bad things about israel without knowing. Israeli people are kind, nice and warm people, and specifically in those moments I'm proud to be israeli.

Posted by: isr_girl | Jan 17, 2009 5:00:53 PM

shame on the american media that shows the poor american public only one side of the story to let them live in ignorance. i wonder sometimes are these american news or israeli news. media is supposed to report the news not a part of them so the public can see the whole picture and be aware of what is really going on in the world. but the truth can't be hidden for ever. so who now is the real terrorist. also shame on arab leadres and american administration that let innocent civilians die. pls american people wake up and also don't trust the american news 100% and do yr own research.

Posted by: oumyahya | Jan 18, 2009 1:20:18 PM

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