PM meets with Arab ambassadors, urges ceasefire in Gaza

PM meets with Arab ambassadors, urges ceasefire in Gaza

BELGRADE -- Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić on Monday met with several ambassadors of Arab countries, and spoke in favor of "an urgent ceasefire" in the Gaza Strip.

Vučić received ambassadors of Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates, as well as with the charge d'affaires of Palestine in Serbia, and discussed relations between Serbia and Arab countries, the government said on its website.

"The officials confirmed the highest level of historical, cultural and traditional friendly relations, and during the meeting they discussed the improvement of economic relations between Serbia and the Arab countries," a statement said, and added that they "also spoke about increasing investment of Arab countries in Serbia, as well as about the involvement of Serbian companies in the realization of projects in these countries."

The diplomats, led by the Algerian Ambassador Abdelkader Mesdoua, informed the prime minister about their view of the very difficult situation in the Gaza Strip.

Vučić said that he is "convinced that the Middle East crisis will end peacefully and that the international community will have the power to prevent a humanitarian disaster in Gaza."

He urged "the warring parties to make an urgent ceasefire, resume dialogue and establish peace as soon as possible."

According to the government statement, Vučić "stressed the importance of respecting all international resolutions and UN conventions relating to the protection of civilians," and added that "Serbia hopes the UN initiative for a peaceful solution to the crisis will be fruitful."