German FM travels to Middle East to secure 'humanitarian cease fire'

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Published: JANUARY 14, 2009 15:00
The German government says Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier will make his second trip to the Middle East in a week as he tries to help secure a "humanitarian cease-fire" in Gaza. Foreign Ministry spokesman Jens Ploetner says Steinmeier will hold talks Thursday with Israeli officials in Jerusalem. Steinmeier also plans to travel to Ramallah and to the Egyptian capital of Cairo. Ploetner says Steinmeier would like to see an "immediate humanitarian cease-fire" as a first step in resolving the conflict. Steinmeier will leave for the trip Wednesday evening. He made a first trip to the region last weekend.