United Nations, Dec 31, SPA -- World powers trying to promote Middle Eastern peace are calling on Israel and Hamas to implement an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and southern Israel, the United Nations said Tuesday. The diplomatic Quartet—the United Nations, the United States, the European Union, and Russia—appealed “for an immediate cease-fire that would be fully respected,” U.N. deputy spokeswoman Marie Okabe said. The Quartet also called for the serious humanitarian and economic needs in Gaza to be addressed, and agreed on the urgent need for Israelis and Palestinians to continue peace negotiations, Okabe said.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/621345