The Government on Friday appealed to the parties involved in the Middle East conflict to exercise restraint and return to negotiations.

A statement issued in Accra and signed by Mr Simon S. Puli, Chief Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said negotiations was the only way towards a lasting solution to the conflict.

It said: "The Government of Ghana has learnt with great dismay, the assassination of Sheik Ahmad Yassin, the Spiritual Leader of Hamas and condemns all extra judicial killings."