By NNN-KUNA,
United Nations : Stopping short of calling on Israel to stop building more settlements, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said he was “deeply concerned” over Israel’s decision to build over 800 settlements in East Jerusalem.
“The government of Israel’s continued construction of settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory is contrary to international law and to its commitments under the Road Map and the Annapolis process, as stressed by the Quartet” when it met in London early last month, his spokesperson Marie Okabe told the daily press briefing Monday.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas denounced the Israeli decision Sunday prior to meeting Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert Monday, saying “If Israel does not stop these settlement activities, then it is difficult to reach a peace agreement”.