Germany welcomes Mideast ceasefire as important step

BERLIN, Feb 8 (AFP) - German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder welcomed the ceasefire announced by Israel and the Palestinians on Tuesday as an important step on the road to peace in the Middle East.
"I am pleased with the modest, but nevertheless important progress," he said, adding that he hoped it would allow both parties to move forward.
Schroeder also praised the United States' new commitment to the region.
Earlier on Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas announced the end of four years of violence at a landmark summit in Egypt, setting the stage for a revival of the peace process.

02/08/2005 15:42 GMT - AFP