BRICS foreign ministers today called for respect for the ceasefire and “full and unimpeded” humanitarian access to the war-torn Palestinian enclave of Gaza, according to a statement issued by India after the 11-member bloc met in New Delhi, Anadolu reports.

The statement, called the “chairman’s statement and outcome document”, of the two-day meeting of top diplomats. of the 11-member bloc, was released by India, which heads the bloc this year. The ministers were unable to draft a joint statement on their differences regarding the conflict in the Middle East.

However, they reaffirmed support for BRICS cooperation in all pillars of political-security, economic-financial and cultural people-to-people and strongly condemned violations of international humanitarian law, including attacks on civilians, obstruction of aid and targeting of aid workers.

The ministers said grave concern for the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory and called for respect for international law, including the use of starvation as a method of war. They called for a permanent ceasefire, the full withdrawal of Israel from Gaza and other occupied territories, the release of hostages and detainees, and unimpeded humanitarian access.

They also called for respect for the ceasefire in Lebanon, condemned violations of sovereignty and attacks on UNIFIL, and called for the withdrawal of Israeli forces.

In addition, they emphasized freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. and the Bab al-Mandab Strait and called for intensified diplomacy, highlighting the urgent humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

“One member country had reservations about some aspects of this paragraph,” the document said.

They expressed deep concern about developments in the Middle East and North Africa, noting divergent views among some members while stressing the need for dialogue, diplomacy, respect for sovereignty and international law, the protection of civilians and the safe flow of maritime trade.

Regional tensions have escalated since the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28, prompting retaliation from Tehran against Israel as well as US allies in the Persian Gulf, including BRICS member the United Arab Emirates.

BRICS members include Brazil, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Source: prizrenpost