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Kuwait Urges U.N. Chief to Stop Israeli 'Aggression'

Kuwait called on U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Monday to urge the international community to put an end to the Israeli "aggression" in Gaza which has claimed 508 lives.

The call came in a meeting between Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Sabah and Ban who arrived in Kuwait on Monday in the second leg of a regional tour aimed at pushing for a ceasefire in Gaza.

The U.N. chief was separately received by Kuwait Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the official KUNA news agency reported.

The foreign minister "renewed Kuwait's support for the Palestinian people and condemned all Israeli acts of aggression," KUNA said following the meeting.

"He called on the U.N. Secretary General to urge the international community to shoulder responsibility to put an end to this dangerous aggression," it said.

The foreign minister also reiterated Kuwait's support for the Egyptian truce proposal which was rejected by Hamas for failing to meet its conditions.

The two officials also discussed developments in Syria and Iraq.

Kuwait, which holds the rotating presidency of the Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), received Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal on Sunday and expressed support for the Palestinians. But the Gulf state also announced its backing for the Egyptian truce proposal.

In Doha, Ban urged Israel on Sunday to "exercise maximum restraint" and spare civilian lives in its campaign in Gaza.

He also condemned the "atrocious action" of Israel's attack on Shejaiya, near Gaza City, where a blistering assault that started at dawn killed 62 people and wounded at least 250.

Ban is also traveling to Cairo, Jerusalem, Ramallah and Amman. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is scheduled to arrive in the Egyptian capital later Monday.

Source: Agence France Presse


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