国际英语新闻：UN chief urges restraint in light of Gaza clashes

SIRTE, Libya, March 27 (Xinhua) -- The United Nation Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday urged restraint in light of clashes between the Israeli troops and Palestinian militants in Gaza Strip on the previous day.

In a press conference on the sidelines of the 22nd Arab Summit opened in the Libyan city of Sirte on Saturday, the UN chief urged the two sides to practice restraint and refrain from all unilateral measures that he said would undermine all efforts for attaining peace.

In Friday's clashes, two Israeli soldiers and two Palestinians were killed near the border between Israel and the southern Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, the UN chief said he was disappointed with unilateral Israeli measures in Jerusalem, noting that he was " deeply dismayed" by Israel's plans to advance with the creation of housing units in East Jerusalem.

"I have spoken out and have been diplomatically active whenever other provocations have taken place, including the decision on holy sites in Hebron and Bethlehem, actions in places like Silwan and Sheikh Jarrah and tensions surrounding the Al-Aqsa Mosque," he told reporters.

In the press conference, he called on the Arab leaders to support proximity talks between the Palestinians and the Israelis so as to lead to direct negotiations between the two sides.

Ban said the United Nations will continue to exerts efforts to end the blockade on Gaza Strip and realize peace at all tracks, including the Syrian and the Lebanese tracks.

Ban was invited to address the opening session of the summit. In his speech, the UN chief said the significance of Jerusalem should be respected as a capital for both Israel and a future Palestinian state, stressing that Israeli settlement activities are illegal and against the international law.

In Thursday's preparatory meeting for the annual gathering of regional leaders, Arab Foreign Ministers' Council agreed to name the meeting as "the summit of supporting Jerusalem steadfastness."