Kofi Annan demanded Hezbollah free the two captured Israeli soldiers. He has sent a three man party to the Middle East to urge countries to show restraint. Jan Egeland, a top United Nations humanitarian official, said that Israeli response is in violation of international law. He was equally critical of Hezbollah and Hamas for abducting Israeli soldiers. He also said that those who had seized Israeli soldiers and fired rockets into Israel from southern Lebanon bore their share of the blame. Egeland also criticized Hezbollah for using the civilian population as cover, telling the BBC, "I also clearly see that Hezbollah is trying to blend into the civilian population in too many places and they bear also a heavy responsibility for this. They do not seem to care that they really inflict a lot of suffering on their own population." UN Secretary General Kofi Annan: "What is most urgently needed is an immediate cessation of hostilities for three vital reasons: …" According to United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan: "What is most urgently needed is an immediate cessation of hostilities for three vital reasons: first, prevent further loss of innocent life and the infliction of further suffering; second, to allow full humanitarian access to those in need; the third, give diplomacy the chance to work out a practical package of actions that would provide a lasting solution to the current crisis." President Mubarak of Egypt and King Abdullah II of Jordan criticized Hezbollah's actions as harmful, as they may have "the region being dragged into 'adventurism' that does not serve Arab interests." Foreign minister Aboul Gheit stated "Targeting civilians under the pretext of fighting terrorism is unacceptable and unjustified. Israeli practices violate international law. We condemn any military action that targets civilians. We consider it a terrorist act, regardless of who the civilians are or its source." Mubarak condemned the Israeli military attack in Lebanon, but also indirectly criticised Hezbollah for harming Arab interests. Gheit also said "a cease-fire is imperative and we have to keep working to reach that objective. It is imperative. We have to bring it to an end as soon as possible. Thank you." Mubarak, made a number of comments on the violence. He was criticised for saying on a 9 July broadcast for Al Arabiya satellite TV station:Definitely Iran has influence on Shi'ites. Shi'ites are 65 percent of the Iraqis ... Most of the Shi'ites are loyal to Iran, and not to the countries they are living in. In a newspaper interview with Egypt's "Al Gomhuria" on 26 July, Mubarak said:Those who urge Egypt to go to war to defend Lebanon or Hizbullah are not aware that the time of exterior adventures is over.