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EU's Solana sees Gaza ceasefire possible soon

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-01-07 17:18

MADRID - A ceasefire may be possible in the conflict in Gaza soon, European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana said on Wednesday.

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt and Israel's Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni (L-R) stands together before their meeting in Jerusalem January 5, 2009. Israeli tanks, planes and ground forces pounded Gaza on Monday and the defence minister said the offensive against Hamas militants in the Palestinian enclave would go on until Israel was safe. [Agencies]

"There is a possibility," Solana told Spain's La Ser radio station when asked if he saw chances of a ceasefire soon.

Solana said a ceasefire proposal had been favourably received by Arab countries such as Syria, and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert may meet with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to discuss it.

Solana was speaking from Cairo after meeting with Mubarak and said he was travelling on to Israel and then Turkey.