Annan congratulates new Prime Minister of Palestinian Authority

The United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, today congratulated Abu Mazen on his swearing-in as Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority and on the approval of his cabinet by the Palestinian Legislative Council.

The Secretary-General “applauds the Council and the President of the Palestinian Authority for taking this notable step in the development of Palestinian democratic institutions,” said a statement issued by a UN spokesman in New York.

“The Secretary-General looks forward to working closely with Abu Mazen and the Palestinian government to implement the Quartet's Road Map and achieve the vision of two states, Palestine and Israel, living side-by-side in peace and security,” the statement said. “He pledges the cooperation and the support of the United Nations to the parties for the implementation of the Road Map and the quest for peace in the Middle East.”