Norway’s Foreign Minister visits Gaza

February 28, 2009

Norway’s Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre visited Gaza on Friday Feb. 27.

Photo: Regjeringen.no.

Støre came to “get informed on the ground” of the destruction caused during the war launched by Israel which caused 1330 Palestinians dead, said the ministry’s spokesman Håkon Svane.

Norway will co-chair with Egypt in Monday’s Ad Hoc Liaison Committee’s (AHLC) international donor conference in Sharm El-Sheikh, aimed at rebuilding the Gaza Strip. 80 countries will take part in the conference.

“This is senseless destruction, destroying the livelihood of ordinary people, creating misery and not creating peace and security,” said Støre, who was visibly shaken up to witness the Gaza Strip in ruins.

On Friday the Norwegian minister met with the head of the outgoing Israeli government Ehud Olmert, as well as Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad. He did not meet with members of Hamas, which has ruled in Gaza since 2007.

“Now we have to focus on finding a joint resolution to rebuild Gaza,” said Støre. “The international community has to coordinate their contributions, and the donors need a joint Palestinian leadership that can help organize the rebuilding of Gaza,” said the Foreign Minister.

Source: Regjeringen.no and NRK