LONDON (AFP) — Prime Minister Gordon Brown is "deeply troubled" by the scenes of suffering in Gaza and has spoken with Israeli counterpart Ehud Olmert to press for a ceasefire, his office said.
He also spoke to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Tuesday, pressing both of them "for the specific measures necessary to deliver a full and sustainable ceasefire, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1860 agreed last week", a spokesman for the premier said.
"The situation in Gaza is of increasing concern, and the prime minister has been deeply troubled by the scenes of terrible suffering," the spokesman said.
Brown urged the Israeli government "to fully respect their international humanitarian commitments", as its army fought street battles with Hamas fighters in Gaza's main city on the 18th day of its offensive in the territory.
The death toll from the conflict has now neared the 1,000 mark.
Brown was also calling on Arab leaders to "say more clearly that Hamas must disarm", the spokesman said.
The premier will speak to Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas on Wednesday, before discussing the situation with French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel when he visits Paris and Berlin this week.
Copyright © 2009 AFP. All rights reserved. More »
