Foreign affairs minister Yusuf Tuggar, along with that of Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Egypt, has asked for France’s support toward ending the humanitarian crisis in Gaza due to the Israeli-Hamas war.

According to a statement by Abdulkadir Alkasim, the media aide to Mr Tuggar, the request was collectively conveyed by the foreign ministers and the Secretary General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, in Paris at a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.

The minister again noted the disproportionate use of violence against innocent civilians and underscored the need to swiftly find a lasting political solution that will result in a two-state solution.

Mr Tuggar, the statement indicated, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to a two-state solution and called for a ceasefire between the Israeli Defence Forces and Hamas.

He condemned the disproportionate use of force against innocent civilians and the destruction of critical infrastructure in Gaza.

The statement said the meeting discussed the situation in the Gaza Strip and its surroundings, ceasefire efforts, protection of civilians, and the importance of establishing and building a truce.

The meeting also discussed many topics of common interest to enhance the security and stability of the Middle East and the world.

According to the statement, Mr Tuggar and the Committee had, on November 21, met with David Cameron, the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom, where they had a robust discussion on the situation in Gaza.

The visit was part of the ongoing efforts by the Ministerial Committee constituted by the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit to find a lasting solution to the war in Gaza, the statement said.

The ministerial committee chaired by Saudi’s foreign affairs minister, Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, met with Catherine Colonna in Paris to further the committee’s engagement with global leaders to restore permanent peace in the Gaza Strip.

(NAN)