Annan urges Israel to end 'illegal occupation'

UN secretary general Kofi Annan has accused Israel of fuelling Palestinian hatred and despair.

Speaking at a public meeting of the UN security council, Mr Annan urged both sides in the Middle East conflict to halt the violence, which left at least 35 people dead today.

Using unusually harsh language, he called on Israel to honour UN resolutions calling for it to hand back Palestinian lands it seized during the Six Day War in 1967.

"You have the right to live in peace and security," he said, "but you must end the illegal occupation. More urgently, you must stop the bombing of civilian areas, the assassinations, the unnecessary use of lethal force, the demolitions and the daily humiliation of ordinary Palestinians."

Mr Annan also urged Palestinian militants to end attacks on Israeli civilians.

"You have the inalienable right to a viable state, within secure, internationally recognised borders, but you must stop all acts of terror and all suicide bombings," he said.