MOSCOW, May 9: International Middle East mediators from the “quartet” group called on Israel on Monday to withdraw fully from Gaza in accordance with the roadmap peace plan as Israel announced a delay to the pullout. “We affirmed support to the Israeli initiative to withdraw from Gaza and parts of the northern West Bank. We insist on complete withdrawal from Gaza ... in accordance with the road map,” UN Secretary General Kofi Annan told reporters.

He was speaking after talks with the other “quartet” representatives — Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

The representatives, who oversee the negotiations on the roadmap, met in Moscow as Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon announced Monday that the operation to pull troops and settlers out of the Gaza Strip woud be delayed until the middle of August.

The Israeli leader had already strongly hinted that he favored a postponement so that the evacuation did not begin until after the traditional mourning for the destruction of the second Jewish Temple which ends on August 14.

The roadmap plan targets the creation of a Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel.

“The Quartet, underscoring the urgency of the matter, affirms its commitment to fully support the efforts of both parties to ensure successful Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and parts of the northern West Bank,” the leaders said in a statement.

Mr Annan said there was “urgent need” for cooperation between the two sides to ensure the pullout, and urged Israel to allow “continuity” of the divided Palestinian territories.

The secretary general also expressed support for Palestinian Authority’s efforts to reform his weak security services. In their statement, the quarter representatives called on the Palestinian side to a “strong commitment to security reform and performance; and the building of transparent, accountable government institutions and an investor-friendly climate, with a view to restoring growth.”—AFP