SG/SM/8852

9 September 2003

SECRETARY-GENERAL HOPES PALESTINIAN PRIME MINISTER’S RESIGNATION WILL NOT DERAIL PEACE EFFORTS

   

NEW YORK, 8 September (UN Headquarters) -- The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

  The Secretary-General very much hopes that the resignation of Palestinian Prime Minister Abu Mazen will not derail efforts, embodied in the Quartet Road Map, to forge peace between Israelis and Palestinians.  He believes it is important that the democratically elected Palestinian institutions reach consensus on the appointment of a credible and fully empowered Prime Minister, with all the necessary authority and means to implement Palestinian obligations under the Road Map.

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