International presence might be needed in Gaza: UN envoy

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, March 18, 2004

International presence might be needed in Gaza: UN envoy

Visiting UN Mideast envoy Terje Roed-Larsen said on Wednesday that an international presence might be needed in the Gaza Strip in the wake of an Israeli pullout.

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Visiting UN Mideast envoy Terje Roed-Larsen said on Wednesday that an international presence might be needed in the Gaza Strip in the wake of an Israeli pullout.

"I think that we have to do everything that can hinder chaos andanarchy in Gaza after withdrawal," Roed-Larsen told reporters after a meeting with Arab League chief Amr Moussa in Cairo.

"This is supposed to be done first by institutionally strengthening and reforming the Palestinian (National) Authority," the envoy said.

"It might be that the situation will necessitate an international presence," he said.

"I do hope as we proceed with our dialogue with the Israeli representative (at the UN) and other relevant partners that we can shape and form such a potential presence to the satisfaction of everybody concerned," he said.

Speaking to reporters after talks with Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher earlier in the day, Roed-Larsen said that the quartet, composed of the United Nations, the United States, Russia and the European Union, was ready to help Israel withdraw from the Gaza Strip.

"What we discussed today with the minister of Egypt is how Egyptand the UN and the quartet can push this project forward the right way," Roed-Larsen said.

He said that the Israeli withdrawal should be based on UN resolutions pressing for a pullout and the so-called roadmap peace plan drafted by the quartet.

In February, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon warned that Israel would carry out a unilateral plan to withdraw most of Jewish settlements from the Gaza Strip, if no progress were made on implementing the roadmap.

The internationally backed roadmap has been derailed due to spiralling violence between the Palestinians and Israel.

The blueprint proposes reciprocal steps to be taken by Israel and the Palestinians and envisions a full Palestinian state by 2005.

Source: Xinhua

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