UNITED NATIONS, Feb 8 (AFP) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan welcomed Tuesday's announcement of a Middle East ceasefire at a summit meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas.
"He believes that their joint announcements to cease violence after four years of death and suffering provide an opportunity for the peace process to resume," Annan's spokesman said in a statement.
"He believes that in the critical months ahead, the active participation of Egypt and of King Abdullah of Jordan will greatly enhance the chances of achieving a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the critical months ahead," the statement said.
Meeting in an Egyptian resort following a new US peace push in the region, Sharon and Abbas said it was time to end the cycle of violence which has claimed some 4,700 lives.
"We have agreed with the prime minister to cease all acts of violence against Israelis and against Palestinians wherever they are," Abbas declared.
Sharon, in Egypt for the first time as prime minister, said he was ordering a complete cessation of military activities against Palestinians.
"We have an opportunity to turn our back on the bloody path imposed on us over the last four years," Sharon said.
02/08/2005 18:22 GMT - AFP