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Annan welcomes 'critically important' Israeli-Palestinian agreement

Annan welcomes 'critically important' Israeli-Palestinian agreement

Kofi Annan
The United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, has welcomed the agreement reached on Friday by the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority and underscored the important role played by the United States in bringing about the accord.

A statement issued by Mr. Annan's spokesman late on Friday said the Secretary-General looked forward to continued implementation of the Road Map, leading to a permanent settlement of the conflict based on Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) 338 (1973) and 1397 (2002).

The accord provides for withdrawal of Israeli forces from agreed positions first in the Gaza Strip and then in Bethlehem. The Palestinian Authority will resume security responsibility in the areas concerned.

“The Secretary-General commends the vital role played by the United States in facilitating this critically important agreement,” the statement said.