LONDON, Jan 18 — Malaysia, which has for decades championed the rights and freedoms of the Palestinian people, will extend assistance for the reconstruction of Gaza, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
It will also pray that the ceasefire announced on Thursday (January 16) will last.
“There are challenges, but we pray the ceasefire will hold. We will assist in the reconstruction of Gaza,” he said during a brief speech at the East London Mosque before joining congregants for Friday prayers yesterday.
Anwar added that it is fortunate that Japan has invited Malaysia to co-chair the Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development, which will specifically focus on rebuilding Gaza.
The three-phase ceasefire deal, facilitated by Egypt, the United States, and Qatar, is set to come into effect tomorrow and aims to bring an end to the 15-month conflict in Gaza.
On Thursday, Anwar said that while reconstruction is a pressing priority, the loss of over 46,700 Palestinian lives and the displacement of more than two million people must not be overlooked or forgotten.
The Prime Minister, who is on a five-day working trip to the United Kingdom, presented copies of the Qu'ran with English translations to the mosque’s management and later attended a luncheon with members of the British Muslim Council.
— Bernama
