Arab, Muslim ministers call for extension to Gaza truce during meeting with French president, FM

Arab, Muslim ministers call for extension to Gaza truce during meeting with French president, FM
The foreign ministers of Arab and Islamic countries meet with their French counterpart Catherine Colonna in Paris. (SPA)
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Updated 23 November 2023
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Arab, Muslim ministers call for extension to Gaza truce during meeting with French president, FM

Arab, Muslim ministers call for extension to Gaza truce during meeting with French president, FM
  • The ministerial commitee arrived in France after a trip to China, Russia and the UK as part of tour to push for Gaza ceasefire
  • Arab diplomats called on France to use its influence to push for a complete and sustainable ceasefire

PARIS: The ministerial committee assigned by the Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit has pointed out the need to build on the four-day humanitarian truce in Gaza, turning it into a permanent ceasefire.

The appeal came during meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna in Paris, the Saudi Press Agency 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 UN Security Council to push for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and allow humanitarian aid into the territory.

During meetings with 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 Gaza Strip.

Noting the role of the UN Security Council and international community in ending hostilities in Gaza, the Arab diplomats called on France to use its influence to push for a complete and sustainable ceasefire.

The ministers also reiterated calls for the opening a safe humanitarian corridor to deliver vital humanitarian aid and fuel into Gaza.