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Mr. Annan "hopes that the groups, the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority will do everything necessary to ensure that the ceasefire represents a full and complete end to violence and terror and is a turning point in breaking the cycle of violence between Palestinians and Israelis," a UN spokesman said in a statement issued in Geneva, where the Secretary-General is attending a meeting of the UN Economic and Social Council.
"Along with the agreement on Israeli withdrawal from Gaza Strip and Bethlehem, today's ceasefire announcement offers a glimpse of hope," the statement added. "The task now is to press ahead with the difficult process of implementing the Road Map, so as to make a reality of the vision of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security."
Sponsored by the so-called Diplomatic Quartet of the UN, United States, European Union and Russia, the Road Map peace plans calls for Israel and the Palestinians to take a series of parallel and reciprocal steps culminating in the achievement of the two-state vision by 2005.
Mr. Annan commended the Government of Egypt for its sustained efforts to help bring about the latest cease-fire.
