We have reports on Israeli captives, UN chief says

The two officials discussed the efforts to set in motion the diplomatic process between Israel and the Palestinians, the Quartet's stance toward the Palestinian unity government, and the kidnapped Israeli soldiers.

At the end of the meeting, the two officials held a joint press conference.

We discussed the Palestinians issue and the new PA government, the secretary-general said, adding that the new government must fight violence by halting the firing of rockets from Gaza, while Israel was expected to work to prevent settlements and ease restrictions on the Palestinian population.

The UN chief added that Arab states were willing to resume the peace process. Everyone is working hard for that and the UN is prepared to do its part, he said. 

Ban demanded that the Palestinian fulfill the Quartet demands.

"President Abbas is ready to discuss peace. The Arab states are presenting their initiative. The US secretary of state is here to advance the process," he said, adding that stalemate could lead to more violence and that he was committed to do all he could for the continuation of the peace process and for achieving peace.

The UN chief said there were various reports on the kidnapped soldiers in Lebanon, Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev, which he could not share with the media.

Photo: Moshe Milner, GPO

"I welcome the secretary-general on his official visit to Israel, "Olmert said, with his guest at his side. "We had a long, serious and interesting conversation. This is not my first meeting with the secretary-general. I was his guest in Korea and I saw him on his previous visit to Israel."

"In the past few years, the UN's approach has changed – and I am happy about that," Olmert said.

He spoke about greater understanding on the part of the United Nations and the countries it is comprised of toward the Israeli stance, and described the UN as an institution which had turned into "an important and active arena."

'Some problems with weapon smuggling'

The prime minister praised Security Council Resolution 1701, which put an end to the Second Lebanon War, and the UNIFIL activity in southern Lebanon.

"We still have some problems with weapon smuggling," he added. "We are worried about the process Hizbullah is seeking in Lebanon."

The prime minister mentioned the three kidnapped soldiers and thanked the UN chief for his efforts to advance the issue.

"The Jewish tradition says that whoever saves one soul saves the whole world. Saving one person is very important for us. We are doing all we can and we will not stop to exert every effort in every possible way in order to reach these achievements," he said.

Olmert also welcomed the UN decision to tighten sanctions on Iran. "I believe that concentrated efforts by the international community and economic pressure could stop Iran's nuclear plan."

On Sunday, Ban toured a Palestinian refugee camp and a stretch of Israel's separation fence in the West Bank, and said the visit strengthened his resolve to work for Mideast peace.

During his visit Ban also called for the release of kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.

Commenting on the fence, Ban said it was "a very sad and tragic thing to see many suffering from the construction of this wall, depriving opportunities for basic living."

Ban urged the Palestinian government to meet international demands to renounce violence, recognize Israel's right to exist and accept past peace agreements.

"We expect that the national unity government will perform and meet the expectations of the international community," Ban said. "I encourage this new government and I hope that its actions will show a basic commitment ... To peace."

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is also visiting the region, and is scheduled to meet with Palestinian President Abbas in Jordan later in the day. She will meet again with Olmert on Monday evening, following their first meeting which took place on Sunday.