Clinton, Ban head to Middle East
2012-11-20 12:00
Phnom Penh - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will leave Asia on Tuesday to visit Israel, Egypt and Ramallah, a US official said, as the United States pushes to avoid an escalation of the Gaza crisis. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is also expected to go Israel on Tuesday.
Clinton will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, then discuss the crisis with Egyptian and Palestinian leaders, after leaving President Barack Obama's trip to Southeast Asia, the official said.
Obama made the decision to send Clinton after speaking to Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi and Netanyahu late on Monday night, deputy national security advisor Ben Rhodes said.
"Secretary Clinton will emphasise the US interest in a peaceful outcome that protects and enhances Israel's security and regional security," Rhodes said, though stopped short of calling Clinton's trip a mediating mission.
News of Clinton's trip came as Israeli leaders on Tuesday discussed an Egyptian plan for a truce with Gaza's ruling Hamas militant group and after the death toll from Israeli raids on the enclave rose to more than 100.
Clear message
Meanwhile, Reuters reported that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday called for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza conflict, saying an Israeli ground operation in the Palestinian enclave would be a "dangerous escalation" that must be avoided.
Speaking at a news conference in Cairo after talks with Arab League chief Nabil Elaraby, Ban said he supported Egyptian-led efforts to bring an end to the fighting between Israel and Palestinian militant groups in the Hamas-run territory.
"Immediate steps are needed by all to avoid a further escalation, including a ground operation which will only result in further tragedy," he said.
"My message is clear: All sides must halt fire immediately. Further escalating the situation will put the entire region at risk," said Ban, who will also go to Israel later on Tuesday. "I will urge the Israeli leadership to end the violence," he said.
"We all must recognise that Israel has legitimate security concerns that must be respected in accordance with international law, but a ground operation would be a dangerous escalation," he said.
