Germany's Westerwelle to visit Gaza Strip next week

Nov 5, 2010, 12:52 GMT

Berlin - German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle is to visit the Gaza Strip next week, a government spokesman announced on Friday, in what would be the first such visit by a German government member since 2006.

Westerwelle is to assess 'concrete possibilities for improving the situation' in Gaza, a foreign ministry spokesman said.

The Gaza Strip is subject to an Israeli blockade. Earlier this year, Israeli authorities denied German Development Minister Dirk Niebel entry to the Palestinian-controlled territory, ruled by Hamas.

The trip had been arranged with the Israeli authorities, Westerwelle's spokesman said, adding that the security situation would be reassessed ahead of his planned visit on Monday.

A delegation of EU foreign ministers had planned to visit Gaza City earlier this year, but the trip was repeatedly postponed.

Westerwelle is to start his two-day trip to the region in Jerusalem on Sunday, where he is to push for direct peace talks to continue between Israelis and Palestinians.

The German minister is due to meet Israeli President Shimon Peres and Foreign Minister Avigdor Liebermann, as well as the family of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit who was kidnapped in the Gaza Strip four years ago.

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