Secretary-General's press encounter at Dubai Airport with Dubai Television

SG: First of all, let me say that the attacks that killed the six Israelis is a real blow to the peace process. The Palestinians have managed the transition extremely well. They just had brilliant elections, elected Abu Massen and everyone was looking forward to the resumption and re-energization of the peace process. So what has happened is a real setback. I hope it will be possible to find a way to engage both parties. I offer my sympathy and condolences to those who lost loved ones on both sides. But bloodshed and violence is not going to get us anywhere. And I think the Palestinians should work with the new Prime Minister, and I support him in his engagements with the Israeli Government and with the international community to find a solution to the crisis. This is an opportunity for them to realize their dream, the aspiration for a Palestinian state. And I, as a member of the Quartet, know that all the other three members are determined to put lots of effort into this peace process. So I appeal to them to shy away from violence, to reject violence, support their new leader and let him work with the Israeli Government and the Palestinian people and the international community to fulfill their dreams.

Q: Speaking of violence, we are almost two weeks away from the Iraqi elections. And if violence is still there, if security is out of control, and the Sunnis don't want to participate in the elections ? now everybody says that the UN has the last word. What do you say about that?

SG: Let me say that I know that the vast majority of Iraqis would want to vote. And I've watched the elections in Afghanistan, I've watched the one in Palestine, and I had looked for a long time to the Iraqis electing their own government. Of course, the situation is far from ideal. One would encourage Iraqis to vote. When you say the UN has the last word, the elections are being organized by the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq. We are advising and supporting them, and at the technical level, everything has been done in preparation for the elections. The Government's decision is that the elections go ahead on the 30th of January and, in our role, we are working with them on that assumption until there are further developments. But we are working on the assumption that, as of today, the elections will take place on 30 January. And I hope that the efforts which are being made to reach out to the Sunnis -- we have encouraged them to try and reach out and make it as inclusive as possible. I hope, even at this late stage, they will succeed in engaging the Sunnis. Thank you very much.