Deploring latest Middle East violence, Annan reaffirms Road Map peace plan

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today deplored the violence by Palestinian groups over the weekend, and urged that it not derail the peace process in the Middle East.

"Such violence is especially untimely following the Aqaba Summit, where the parties made a commitment to implementing the Quartet's Road Map," said a statement issued by a spokesman for Mr. Annan, referring to a plan that calls for the Israelis and Palestinians to take a series of parallel and reciprocal steps over the next three years towards the vision of establishing two states living side by side in peace and security.

"The Secretary-General calls on the parties not to allow violence, the aim of which is clearly to derail the peace process, to set the agenda," the statement added. "He commends the two Prime Ministers for their recent expressions of determination to stay the course. The Secretary-General believes that the Road Map sets out the best path to achieve a just, lasting and comprehensive peace that would ensure the security of the peoples of the Middle East."