Yudhoyono to Discuss Gaza with Obama

Jakarta (Antara) - Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will discuss the recent Israeli attack on Gaza Strip with US President Barack Obama as part of efforts to put an end to it. "Only one and a half hours ago I have talked with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, while Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa is trying to find the appropriate time for me to hold talks with US President Barack Obama," President Yudhoyono said at a function marking the descent of the Holy Quran at the State Palace here on Wednesday night. Yudhoyono said he also had earlier phone conversation with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani who is now the chairman of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to discuss the same issue. "Thank God, President Rouhani highly agreed to the Indonesian position to create peace and security in Gaza Strip," he said. He said Indonesia had taken diplomatic steps at various forums including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the United Nations in its effort to put an end to the Israeli attack. At the UN forum, Indonesia had succeeded in encouraging cooperation among various countries to urge the UN Security Council to convene an emergency meeting on July 12, he said. "The emergency meeting has produced a decision urging the two warring camps to agree on a ceasefire," he said. "I am looking forward to world leaders having common commitment to put a stop to violence in Palestine, so that peace negotiations to create an independent Palestinian state could be continued," he said. (*) Reporting by Muhammad Razi Rahman