US envoy, UN chief call for reaching Gaza cease-fire deal

HAMILTON, Canada

US envoy to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the need of concluding a Gaza cease-fire and hostage release deal.

"Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield and Secretary-General Guterres agreed the time has come to conclude the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal, and to commence implementation of the deal without further delay, as called for in Resolution 2735," a statement by the US Mission to the UN said on Friday.


Thomas-Greenfield and Guterres, who met on Thursday, also addressed the significance "of preparations by the UN to surge humanitarian aid into Gaza as part of implementing the first phase of a deal."


The US envoy also noted the importance of continued UN support in distributing humanitarian aid in Sudan.

She further condemned the detention of aid workers and diplomatic personnel by Houthis in Yemen, calling it "unacceptable" and urged the safe operation of UN aid programs in the country.

Thanking Guterres for publishing the interim report on Venezuelan presidential elections, she said the report reinforces the call to "return peace and democracy to Venezuela and respect the will of Venezuelan voters."