- The ministerial commitee arrived in France after a trip to China, Russia and the UK as part of tour to push for Gaza cesefire
- Arab diplomats called on France to practice its responsibility to push for end to hostilities in Gaza
PARIS: The ministerial committee assigned by the Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit stressed the need to build on the four-day humanitarian truce in Gaza, turning it into a permanent ceasefire.
The statement came during meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and foreign minister Catherine Colonna in Paris, state news agency SPA reported.
The foreign ministers of Arab and Islamic countries earlier arrived in Paris after a trip to China, Russia and the UK as part of a tour of permanent member states of the United Nations’ Security Council to push for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and allow humanitarian aid into the territory.
During meetings with France’s Macron and Colonna, the committee, led by Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, welcomed the humanitarian truce between Israel and Hamas, which would see a pause in fighting for four days to allow the release of 50 Israeli hostages from Gaza in exchange for at least 150 Palestinian women and children held in Israeli prisons and the entry of more humanitarian aid into the besieged strip.
Emphasizing the role of the UN Security Council and international community in ending hostilities in Gaza, the Arab diplomats called on France to practice its responsibility in pushing for a complete and sustainable ceasefire.
The ministers also reiterated calls for opening a safe humanitarian corridor to deliver critical humanitarian aid, fuel, and electricity into the besieged trip.