Annan says 'whole world' is demanding Israel withdraw immediately from Palestinian areas

Mon Apr 8, 5:58 AM ET

By PAUL GEITNER, Associated Press Writer

MADRID, Spain - Israel must withdraw immediately from Palestinian towns or risk finding itself at odds with the "whole world," U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said Monday.

"The whole world is demanding that Israel withdraw," Annan said at a news conference. "I don't think that the whole world, including friends of the Israeli government, can be wrong."

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Monday in Jerusalem that Israel's military offensive in the West Bank will continue until Palestinian militias have been crushed.

Annan warned of a "very serious" humanitarian situation brewing in the Palestinian areas, with U.N., Red Cross and Red Crescent aid workers being denied freedom of movement.

"I genuinely hope Israel will heed the call of President Bush and the relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions and withdraw troops immediately," he said.

"The longer this goes on, the more it erodes the moral and political position of Israel in the world," he said, adding that he hoped Sharon "will bear that in mind."

He also called on the Palestinians to "honor the demands" U.N. resolutions placed on them, including a complete cessation of violence.

Annan, who opened a U.N. conference on aging Monday, plans to stay in Madrid for a Wednesday session with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell.