UN chief: Advance Arab peace initiative

This is his first official visit to Israel since his appointment to the UN’s top post a few months ago. Ban's last visit to Israel was in 2005 as Korea’s foreign minister.

Peretz with UN chief Ban Ki-moon (Photo: Michael Kramer)

Ban met with Defense Minister Amir Peretz immediately upon his arrival Saturday. He is also slated to meet with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who is expected to arrive in Israel Sunday, and on Monday he will meet with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

He is scheduled to convene with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and senior PA ministers Sunday, but he has stated that he will not meet with Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh.

The meeting was defined by Peretz’s office as “very good”.

Speaking to the press upon his arrival in Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport, Ban commended the contacts between Israeli and Palestinian leaders. He further noted that Rice’s visit simultaneous to his signifies the resolve to progress towards dialogue which will advance the peace process.

“I hope that I have the chance to deal with the Middle East issue from up close and to advance real steps towards peace,” he noted.

“I came here to get a clear picture of what is happening in the region. I mean to discuss the challenges we face with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and with other Israeli officials. I will do the same with Abbas and his senior ministers in Ramallah. I am convinced that there are many issues that unify nations and peoples – to promise Israel’s security while enabling an independent Palestinian state, with the two peoples living without the threat of violence.

“Those who believe in coexistence will do the utmost to find an alternative that will provide hope for peace and justice,” he said.

Ban concluded his statements noting, "The United Nations has had crucial political and operational roles in the Middle East for more than 60 years. We were there at Israel's creation and I would dearly wish to be there again when a comprehensive solution to the conflict is achieved.”

Peretz, who greeted Ban at the airport, promised Israel’s continued cooperation with the UNIFIL forces in south Lebanon and the Lebanese army.

Regarding the issue Iran’s nuclear armament, the defense minister told the UN chief he hoped the Security Council would approve the tightening of sanctions against Iran.

“This is a central question for Israel. I am sure you are doing everything to prevent the continuation of the process,” he said.