German foreign minister heading to Middle East

Berlin: German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier says he is heading to the Middle East in support of the UN resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Steinmeier says he will fly to Egypt later on Friday for meetings early Saturday with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

He will also meet Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

He says later the same day he will fly to Israel to meet with officials there.

Steinmeier called Thursday's UN resolution "an important step" that "shows us how we can reach a lasting ceasefire."