UN chief applauds agreement to secure ceasefire, hostage release in Gaza

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Wednesday that he welcomes the announcement of an agreement to secure a ceasefire and hostage release in the Gaza Strip and urges all concerned to abide fully by the terms of the agreement.

All hostages must be released in a dignified manner, a permanent ceasefire must be secured, the fighting must stop once and for all, and immediate and unimpeded entry of humanitarian supplies and essential commercial materials into Gaza must be ensured, Guterres said. "The suffering must end."

He stressed that the United Nations will fully support the implementation of the phased agreement, as well as advancing recovery and reconstruction efforts in the devastated Gaza Strip.

The secretary-general also urged "all stakeholders to seize this momentous opportunity to establish a credible political path forward towards ending the occupation, recognizing the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people, and achieving a two-State solution that enables Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security."

UN chief applauds agreement to secure ceasefire, hostage release in Gaza

UN chief applauds agreement to secure ceasefire, hostage release in Gaza

UN chief applauds agreement to secure ceasefire, hostage release in Gaza

UN chief applauds agreement to secure ceasefire, hostage release in Gaza

China opposes the use or threat of force in international relations, opposes imposing one's own will on others, and opposes a return of the world to the "law of the jungle," Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during a phone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Thursday.

During the call, Araghchi briefed Wang on the latest developments in Iran, saying the recent unrest was incited by external forces and that the situation has now returned to stability.

Saying that Iran has made preparations to respond to external interference while keeping the door wide open to dialog, Araghchi expressed hope that China would play a greater role in promoting regional peace and stability.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China consistently upholds the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law, opposes the use or threat of force in international relations, opposes imposing one's own will on others, and opposes a return of the world to the "law of the jungle."

He said that the Chinese side believes the Iranian government and people will stay united, overcome difficulties, maintain national stability, and safeguard their legitimate rights and interests.

Wang also called on all parties to cherish peace, exercise restraint, and resolve differences through dialog, adding that China is willing to play a constructive role in this regard.

Chinese, Iranian FMs have phone conversation