WASHINGTON: A senior US diplomat Thursday spoke with Pakistan’s caretaker foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani to discuss “critical issues” in the United States-Pakistan partnership, including the Israel-Palestine conflict, State Department spokesperson Mathew Miller said.
Victoria Nuland , the Acting Deputy Secretary of State and Under Secretary for Political Affairs, also discussed the mutual interest in facilitating the timely and safe resettlement of eligible Afghans to the US, Miller said in a statement.
The statement said that they also agreed on the significance of free and fair polls that are inclusive and held in a manner consistent with Pakistan’s laws.
During a discussion on the raging Israel-Palestinian war, the Acting Deputy Secretary underlined the United States’ call for the release of all hostages and the protection of civilians from harm, it said.
The statement added that Acting Deputy Secretary Nuland and Jilani also agreed on the need for a continuous flow of humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza and to prevent the conflict from spreading.
No let-up in Israeli bombardment
There seems to be no ease in the Israeli bombardment of besieged Gaza so far. Vetoes by permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) blocked the 15-member body from taking any action aimed at resolving the crisis.
The UN General Assembly, meeting in an emergency session, would vote Friday night on a resolution, submitted by Arab and OIC nations, that calls for an immediate ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access to the enclave.
