NEW YORK, April 18, 2004, (WAFA) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan Sunday denounced Israel's "extra-judicial killing" of the political leader of Hamas Dr. Abdul Aziz al-Rantisi, calling on Israel to end such practices.... "Extrajudicial killings are violations of international law and calls on the Government of Israel to immediately end this practice," Annan said in a statement issued by his spokesman Fred Eckhard.... Eckhard said that Annan is apprehensive that such an action would lead to further deterioration of an already distressing and fragile situation.... "The only way to halt an escalation in the violence is for Israelis and Palestinians to work towards a viable negotiating process aimed at a just, lasting and comprehensive settlement, based on the Quartet's Road Map," Annan added.... Dr Rantisi and two of his bodyguards were murdered Saturday night when Israeli helicopters bounded their car with missiles reducing it to a heap of rubble....