Iranian-Egyptian FMs Discuss Gaza On Phone

Tehran, July 28, IRNA -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a telephone conversation on Sunday with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry discussed the latest developments in Palestine, specially Gaza. During the telephone conversation today, Zarif and Shoukry underlined the need for proper measures by the international bodies to stop Israelˈs aggressions against the defenseless Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Zarif felicitated the Egyptian government and nation on the advent of Eid Al-Fitr, and underlined the need for the international communityˈs all-out pressures on Israel to halt its attacks on the defenseless Palestinians. The Egyptian foreign minister, for his part, congratulated the Iranian government and nation on the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr, and said, ˈWe hope that we will see alleviation of the pains of the Palestinians through continued consultations among influential Muslim countries.ˈ Earlier today, Zarif also contacted his Omani counterpart Yusuf Bin Alawi and Hezbollah Secretary General Seyed Hassan Nasrallah to discuss the latest developments in the Palestinian territories and stress Tehranˈs support for the resistance front. Earlier this week, the Iranian foreign minister also contacted his Lebanese counterpart Gebran Bassil, Hamas Politburo Chief Khaled Mashaal and Secretary-General of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement Ramazan Abdullah to discuss the situation in Gaza. ˈIn these talks, Iranˈs support for the resistance and its principled policies on Palestine were stressed,ˈ Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marziyeh Afkham told reporters in Tehran. Afkham referred to the other measures adopted by Iranian officials in reaction to the Israeli crimes in the Gaza Strip, and said Tehran also hosted the Inter-Parliamentary Union troika meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in which the necessity for practical measures in support of the Palestinian people was underscored. Asked about Iranˈs position on truce plans in the Palestinian territories, Afkham said, ˈThe viewpoints of the Palestinian groups and people are important to us and the Islamic Republic supports every plan that is accepted by the Palestinian people and provides for their interests.ˈ ˈOur stance is whatever position and viewpoint that Palestinian leaders and resistance have,ˈ she added. Israel has been pounding the blockaded Gaza for 20 consecutive days, killing at least 1,060 people and injuring more than 6,000 others. An elementary school packed with hundreds of Palestinian evacuees seeking shelter under UN protection came under heavy Israeli fire Thursday, leaving 17 people dead and more than 200 wounded, including women, children and infants./end