Spokesman says SecGen made clear that existing land routes should be used to bring aid to Gaza – Noon briefing (excerpts)

SECRETARY-GENERAL HAS PRESSED FOR ESTABLISHED AID ROUTES TO BE USED FOR GAZA

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Asked about a flotilla reportedly heading towards Gaza with aid for the Palestinians, the Spokesperson recalled that the Secretary-General has spoken with a number of leaders in the region to make sure that nothing is done to raise tensions at this time.

The Secretary-General, he said, has repeatedly made clear that existing land routes should be used in order to bring aid to Gaza. For his part, the Secretary-General has been pressing to make sure that more aid can get into Gaza and that access into and out of Gaza can be improved.

Asked further about the Secretary-General’s efforts, the Spokesperson said that the Secretary-General had spoken last week with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak to press for meaningful steps to ensure that aid can get into Gaza through established channels.

Asked about the rights of journalists to cover the flotilla’s travels, Haq noted that the United Nations consistently supports freedom of expression and the freedom of the media to do its work.