By NNN-KUNA,
Cairo : World leaders convening in the Egyptian Red-Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh have called for serious efforts to set a long-lasting peace in the Middle East region.
President Hosni Mubarak called for international support to Egypt’s efforts for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
Speaking at a press conference there Sunday, Mubarak affirmed that peace efforts started from the beginning of the crisis, revealing that he and his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy convened twice within the past 24 hours to discuss the current regional situation.
“A solution to the crisis is almost near and we would like to thank all who supported Egypt’s efforts to reach an end to this dilemma,” said Mubarak.
He called on the UN to gather international support to rebuild what was destroyed in the Gaza Strip.
On his part, Sarkozy said that it was important to reach a swift solution that would ensure the establishment of the two states of Israel and Palestine.
Sarkozy also said it was paramount for relief aid to reach those in the Gaza Strip, adding that he would be heading to Israel to ensure that the Jewish state has the security it sought.
Israel should live in peace but it also should withdraw from the Gaza Strip for that to happen, stressed Sarkozy.
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown told the press that the EU should continue Egypt’s efforts for peace, seeking tranquility in the region through the vision of the Arab initiative for peace.
On her part, German Chancellor Angela Merkel indicated that the EU and the US were working on a long-term ceasefire which would be followed by peace efforts. Merkel also said that the international community is also eager to end the smuggling of weapons to the Gaza Strip.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul expressed his deepest condolences to the people of Gaza who have suffered a lot from the Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip. Gul urged Palestinians to set their differences aside and unite for the sake of their people.
On a similar note, Spain’s Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, also was saddened by the long military campaign against Gaza.
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi also had a say on the issue, affirming that he would be visiting Gaza soon heading a relief aid delegation to the Strip.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas described the situation in the Gaza Strip as a human catastrophe, saying that what was seen in the media was a portion of the real damage done to the Gaza Strip.
Jordanian King Abdullah II hoped that world leaders would work seriously for an everlasting peace in the Middle East, saying that through the Arab and Islamic initiative, Israel would be recognised by about Muslim 57 states.
UN Chief Ban Ki-Moon said that Israel’s one-sided ceasefire announcement must turn into a lasting one. Hamas should also cease its rocket attacks against Israel, said Ban.
He added that he would be sending UNRWA teams this week to aid Gazans.
Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa on his part noted that the Arab economic and social development summit in Kuwait, to begin Monday, would address the Gaza crisis and means to deal with it.
Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, whose country is heading the EU Presidency, said that it was paramount to have a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, affirming that the EU would back all measures for peace in the Middle East.