By Xinhua
United Nations : UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said that he was "gravely troubled" by the ongoing escalation of tension in the Middle East.
"I am gravely troubled by all these situations going on – happening in the Gaza Strip between Israel and the Palestinians, and also in Lebanon – all these are happening in the Middle East," Ban told reporters at the UN Headquarters Monday.
"I sincerely hope that the international community should really be able to find some wisdom and willingness and flexibility to address this issue," he noted, saying that he would attend the Quartet meeting in Cairo later the month.
The Quartet comprises the four major players in the Middle East peace process — the European Union, Russia, United Nations and the US.
He said that there would be an expanded Quartet meeting between the Quartet principals and Israelis and Palestinians and on the following day, Arab partners.
"Through these peace movements we hope, really, to be able to find some solutions to these issues," he said, urging "maximum restraint" and "flexibility" from the parties concerned.