Italian Foreign Minister Ronato Ruggiero called on Israel Friday to pull out its tanks and troops out of several formerly autonomous Palestinian areas that have been re-occupied.
Ruggiero, in a speech before a meeting of the Mediterranean basin countries in the Moroccan city of Agadir, said a ceasefire and resumption of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations would be a great leap towards peace in the Middle East.
Ruggiero, quoted by the official Italian news agency, warned against further stalemates in the peace process because this would fuel further tension.
Reaching peace in the Middle East will be a key factor in the war against international terrorism, he said.
The Agadir meeting groups foreign ministers of Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Malta, Turkey, Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia. Libya and Mauritania are taking part as observers, according to the official Kuwaiti news agency (KUNA).
Israel agreed with Palestinian officials on Friday to start pulling back its forces on a gradual basis, starting with Bethlehem and Beit Jala Saturday. But the PA has to ensure a ceasefire in all areas before withdrawal, accordin to Israeli conditions – Albawaba.com
