Israeli FM calls for party unity

Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni says that she will continue to push for a peace deal with the Palestinians this year, despite the uncertainty of the domestic political situation.

Israel's Foreign Minster Tzipi Livni speaks with the press after meeting with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the United Nations Headquarters in New York July 31, 2008.(Reuters)

Tzipi Livni, also Israel's Vice Prime Minister met with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for closed door discussions.

After the meeting, she spoke to reporters about her role in the future Israeli government but didn't give any indication whether there would be possible changes in her position.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced he will resign once his party picks a new leader in September. But the primary election winner, probably Livni, will not automatically replace Olmert as the head of the government.

Tzipi Livni, the Israeli FM, said, "There is a joint agenda on internal affairs and there is one common need, in my opinion, is the responsibility of all politicians in Israel, and that is, first of all, to regain the trust of the public in Israeli politics."

Israel's Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni speaks during a press briefing at the United Nations in New York, Thursday July 31, 2008.(AP Photo)

Speaking about her meeting with Ban Ki-moon, Livni said they discussed the Israeli Palestinian conflict. She said, "Of course when it comes to the Israeli Palestinian conflict, there is the Annapolis process. I believe in this process. I believe that this represents the only way to implement the vision of two states for two peoples into a peace treaty. We promise to make every effort to do so during this year."

Livni and Ban also discussed what Livni says are ongoing threats from various regimes, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Hamas in the Palestinian territory.