United Nations Radio

Members of the Security Council expressed grave concern about the situation in the Middle East region, during closed-door consultations and a briefing by the UN Secretariat.

Jean-Maurice Ripert

Council President Ambassador Jean-Maurice Ripert of France told reporters this was especially so following the military operations Thursday morning against hospitals, a building hosting journalists and the headquarters of the relief agency for Palestinian refugees -UNRWA.

"We are calling all parties to respect international humanitarian law and especially to ensure the protection of civilians. There was also a strong reaffirmation of our commitments for expeditious implementation of resolution 1860. We are saluting and we are fully committed to helping and support the action of the Egyptian president towards the implementation of an immediate ceasefire and the implementation of [the] resolution."

Ambassador Ripert says members of the Council also salute and support the work of the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon who is on the ground in the region "doing his utmost to ... obtain an immediate ceasefire for implementation of the resolution".

Donn Bobb, United Nations Radio

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