SINGAPORE: Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Saturday (Apr 6) congratulated newly appointed Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Dr Mohammad Mustafa, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said.
Dr Mustafa was appointed prime minister, and minister of foreign affairs and expatriates of the Palestinian Authority on Mar 14, replacing predecessor Mohammed Shtayyeh, who stepped down in February.
In his congratulatory letter, Mr Lee acknowledged that it was a “very challenging time”, with the Israel-Hamas war now into its sixth month and the hostilities showing no signs of abating.
“Singapore is deeply concerned about the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. We support an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to allow for the swift and unhindered delivery of aid,” he said.
“Singapore has delivered three tranches of humanitarian assistance to Gaza and deployed a Republic of Singapore Air Force aircraft for airdrop missions.”
In October 2022, Mr Lee stressed Singapore’s commitment to support Palestinian capacity-building efforts through the Enhanced Technical Assistance Package (ETAP).
More than 700 Palestinian officials have so far attended training courses and study visits under the ETAP, he noted in his letter to Dr Mustafa.
A representative office was also set up in 2022 in Ramallah in the West Bank to further facilitate Singapore’s engagements with the Palestinian Authority.
Mr Lee reiterated Singapore’s support for a negotiated two-state solution, calling it “the only viable path towards a comprehensive, just and durable peace” between Israelis and Palestinians.
He added that he looked forward to meeting Dr Mustafa and extended an invite to his Palestinian Authority counterpart to make an official visit to Singapore at a “mutually convenient time”.
“Until then, I wish you success in your new position.”
