United Nations

NEW YORK, 31 October (UN Headquarters) -- The following statement was issued today by the Office of the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

 The Secretary-General is increasingly concerned at the continuing wave of violence in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza.  He is dismayed by the ongoing loss of innocent lives.

 The Secretary-General believes that a full and immediate implementation of the understandings reached at the Sharm el-Sheikh Summit is the only way to break the current cycle of violence and to stabilize the situation.  He calls on both sides to honour their commitments under this agreement and to exercise maximum restraint.

 For his part, the Secretary-General continues to follow developments closely.  He remains in close contact with the participants at the Sharm el-Sheikh Summit and with other international leaders.  His good offices remain at the disposal of the parties.