Sinn Féin and SDLP meet Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has urged Israel and Palestine to call a ceasefire and begin fresh peace talks.

The West Belfast MP urged the international community to "establish a new and powerful political initiative" to end the conflict following news of the latest bloodshed in the Gaza strip.

Speaking after talks with the Palestinian ambassador to Ireland, Mr Ali Halimeh, Mr Adams said: "The peoples of Palestine and of Israel have the right to peaceful coexistence based on their respective right to self-determination.

"Such a clear expression of endorsement of both states would create a better atmosphere in which the Palestinians the Israeli government could negotiate and implement a durable peace agreement".

Mr Ali Halimeh also met members of the Northern Ireland Assembly during a visit to Stormont.

Following a 45-minute discussion with the Palestinian ambassador in Stormont, SDLP leader Mark Durkan described the violence in the Middle East as "depressing and deeply worrying".

However Mr Durkan, who is also Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister, drew attention to the benefits peace can bring, he added: "The success of the Good Friday Agreement and the endurance of the political process here highlights just how important it is that we show the world that dialogue yields results, and that violence, as well as being morally detestable, is also totally counterproductive to progress." (AMcE)