Israel's Foreign Minister pledges support for Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ humanitarian activities in Middle East 

2 August The Foreign Minister of Israel has pledged his country’s support for United Nations humanitarian activities in the Middle East – a move welcomed by Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who stressed the need for progress on political matters as well.

During a 45-minute meeting on Thursday evening, the two also reviewed the region's political and security situation, according to a Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ spokesman.

Foreign Minister Shimon Peres reiterated Israel's commitment to alleviate the humanitarian situation of the Palestinian people. "He told the Secretary-General that the Israeli Government would fully cooperate with Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ agencies on the ground, including the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East and the Office of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process," spokesman Fred Eckhard told reporters in New York.

"The Secretary-General said it was important to accompany positive developments on the humanitarian side with a movement on the political track as well," the spokesman noted.