UNITED NATIONS, March 14: Expressing deep concern at the deadly violence On Tuesday in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan called for urgent steps to restore calm and to secure the release of all kidnapped persons.

Several people, including Palestinian police officers, have been killed, and a number of international personnel have been kidnapped, a spokesman for Mr Annan said in a statement released in New York.

The United Nations Secretary-General “calls for an immediate end to violence, respect for civilian lives, and urgent steps to restore calm,” Stephane Dujarric said.