UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon
Photo: AP
Ban Ki-moon to visit Israel soon
UN secretary-general expected to launch first visit to Jewish state in March or April
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is expected to pay an official visit to Israel, apparently as soon as March or April this year.
Ban is scheduled to tour the Persian Gulf in early March and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is already in contact with his office regarding his possible visit in Israel en-route back to New York.
Chances of the visit taking place are high; Ban has repeatedly stated that he views the Israeli-Arab conflict as the most pressing on his agenda.
On Monday, Ban telephoned Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia.
The secretary general expressed his support for the Mecca unity agreement but stressed that the new Palestinian government will have to recognize Israel.
In his conversation with Olmert he also noted his concern over the construction work being done at the Mugrabi Gate near the Temple Mount.
