Iranian, Egyptian presidents call for intl. efforts to stop Israel’s attacks on Gaza

TEHRAN, Nov. 20 (MNA) - During a telephone conversation on Sunday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi emphasized that the international community should make efforts to stop Israel’s acts of aggression against the Palestinian people. Ahmadinejad thanked Morsi for his efforts to restore peace, security, and stability in Gaza and said, “Humanitarian and religious duties oblige us to make efforts to prevent the killing of the innocent people of Gaza and restore long-lasting peace and security in this part and the entire Palestinian territories.” Certain countries in and outside of the region are concerned about Israel’s crimes against Gaza, the Iranian president said, adding, “We should act based on a certain initiative to prevent the continuation of killings and bloodshed in Gaza, and consensus should be developed in the international arena against the Zionist regime’s acts of aggression through consultations with other countries.” He also said, “It is necessary that we make every effort to end the killing of women and children and the oppressed people of Gaza and Palestine.” The Egyptian president expressed concern about the situation in Gaza and stated that he is making endeavors to stop Israeli crimes in this coastal strip. “I have contacted many leaders of the world, and I am seeking to help forge international consensus against the Zionist regime’s acts of aggression against Gaza,” Morsi noted. He also said that pressure should be exerted on Israel to stop the bloodshed.