U.N. Chief Starts Mideast Mission To Secure Gaza Ceasefire

New York, NY (AHN) - United Nation Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon began an intensive mission Wednesday to try to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict, meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and King Abdullah of Jordan.

The leaders discussed in depth how to attain an immediate ceasefire and to further secure humanitarian relief for Gaza's 1.5 million people as Israel's offensive entered its 19th day with the stated aim of ending rocket attacks against it, according to a UN press statement.

The UN chief expressed his appreciation for Egypt's efforts to get the parties to reach a ceasefire and told reporters in Cairo after a meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit that he and Mr. Mubarak shared their feelings of frustration and pain over the ongoing violence in Gaza.

He appealed to those who have influence with any party to the conflict to use all means to end the violence and to find a durable solution, Mr. Ban's spokesperson told reporters in New York.

The Secretary-General met with King Abdullah in Jordan and is scheduled to talk with the leaders of Israel, the occupied Palestinian territory, Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon and Syria to stress the vital need for an immediate and durable ceasefire and for the urgent provision of humanitarian aid without restrictions, the statement added.