Western foreign ministers to discuss Israel and Gaza at Iran talks

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"It is clear that we need urgent, concerted international action to secure a ceasefire, as was the case in 2012. I will discuss this with John Kerry, Laurent Fabius and Frank-Walter Steinmeier tomorrow in Vienna," Hague said in a statement.

The ministers are due to hold talks on Sunday afternoon in Vienna to take stock of negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program ahead of a self-imposed July 20 deadline to secure a deal.

"The current crisis only underlines the need for a fundamental transformation of the situation in Gaza," Hague said after speaking to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman.

Hague said issues that needed to be addressed included "the restoration of Palestinian Authority control, the opening up of legitimate movement and access and a permanent end to the unacceptable threat of rocket attacks and other forms of violence from Gaza against Israel".

The 15-member United Nations Security Council earlier on Saturday called for de-escalation of the situation, restoration of calm, and reinstitution of the November 2012 ceasefire.

(Reporting By John Irish; Editing by Sophie Hares)

FILED UNDER: World United Nations Israel

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