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Threats against Iran
The meeting took place as the United States increases its military presence near Iran. And the president has done nothing to reassure those who fear a direct confrontation between the two powers, going so far as to threaten Tehran with war.
“Bad things are going to happen” if Iran does not reach a deal with it related to its nuclear program, President Trump warned. “You’re going to find out more over the next ten days, probably. »
In a letter addressed to the Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), Iran threatened the United States with retaliation. “In the event that Iran suffers military aggression, it will retaliate decisively and proportionately in accordance with the principles of self-defense enshrined in Article 51 of the United Nations Charter,” Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations wrote to António Guterres.
Financial aid to Gaza
This first meeting of the Peace Council, an organization whose very vague mission is to resolve conflicts in the world, aimed to plan the reconstruction of Gaza. Despite the ceasefire announced four months ago, the Palestinian territory is still the scene of daily strikes and shootings, and Israel and Hamas accuse each other of violating the truce.
Donald Trump announced US funding of $10 billion for the reconstruction of Gaza. The president did not say where the money would come from or whether it had been approved by Congress.
Trump also announced that several countries, mainly from the Gulf, have pledged more than $7 billion in funding.
Stabilization force and police
The Council will mobilize a stabilization force (ISF) under American command, with the objective of ensuring peace in Gaza. Indonesia, a predominantly Muslim country, will be its deputy commander, announced American General Jasper Jeffers.
Four other countries have confirmed that they will contribute troops to the ISF: Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo and Albania. Indonesia has said it is ready to provide 8,000 soldiers to this force, which could number up to 20,000 men.
A new Palestinian police force will also be formed in Gaza. Bulgarian diplomat Nikolai Mladenov, responsible for the reconstruction of Gaza, announced the start of recruitment, stressing that 2,000 people had already volunteered. Jordan and Egypt have committed to training police officers.
Competition at the UN
President Trump has not minced his words regarding the UN. The organization “has great potential,” he said, but it “never realized it.”
He added that the Peace Council will “almost monitor” the UN and “make sure it functions properly”, boasting of having resolved no fewer than eight conflicts since coming to power.
Notable absentees
Several of the United States’ former allies were conspicuous by their absence during the meeting, including Canada, France, Germany and Norway. In short, all countries which have been the target of Trump’s insults and threats for a year.
The president noticed these absences. “Almost everyone agreed, and those who didn’t will,” he said.
European Commissioner Dubravka Šuica was present, an anomaly denounced by France, which stressed that she had not received any mandate to attend.
With the New York Times and Agence France-Presse
