In Middle East, Annan works to build support for formula to reduce tension
11 October -- United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today continued his high-level meetings with parties to the current crisis in the Middle East as part of his effort to bring the peace process back on track.
"He continues to build international support for a formula -- not yet accepted fully by both sides -- for reducing tensions," UN spokesman Manoel de Almeida e Silva told reporters in New York.
According to the spokesman, the Secretary-General met again this morning with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak for about half an hour. He then consulted with Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov before travelling by helicopter to Gaza for another meeting with Yasser Arafat, the President of the Palestinian Authority. Mr. Annan's discussions with Mr. Arafat continued over lunch.
While in Gaza, the Secretary-General had telephone conversations with French President Jacques Chirac, United Kingdom Foreign Secretary Robin Cook and United States President Bill Clinton, among other leaders.
The Secretary-General's visit to Beirut -- planned for today -- was postponed so that he could pursue his efforts with the Israelis and the Palestinians.
Mr. Annan returned to Jerusalem this evening, "where he will spend the night and continue to stay in touch with the parties," the spokesman noted.
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