Vietnam urged both Israel and the Palestinians to step back on Tuesday and rein in clashes that have left 56 people dead in just five days.
"We hope that both Israeli and Palestinian leaders will do everything necessary to bring the situation back under control, put an end to the conflict and avoid an escalation of violence leading to further casualties and damage," said foreign ministry spokeswoman Phan Thuy Thanh.
"We very much regret the fact that the situation has once again become tense in the region," she said.
Thanh singled neither side out for blame although Arab and even some European leaders have pointed the finger at Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon for a controversial visit he made last week to Islam's third holiest site -- the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in east Jerusalem.
Vietnam has traditionally been a strong supporter of the Palestinians but has taken a less biased stance in recent years as it has sought to develop its relations with Israel - HANOI (AFP)
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
