The flags of Iran flutter in the south of Tehran, Iran, on July 4, 2022. (PHOTO / AFP)

TEHRAN/CAIRO/RIYADH - Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf on Tuesday voiced the country's readiness to host a top-level parliamentary meeting among the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to explore practical solutions to Palestinian issues.

He made the remarks in a phone call with Speaker of the People's National Assembly of Algeria Ibrahim Boughali, during which the two sides also discussed the latest developments in Gaza, according to the Islamic Consultative Assembly News Agency of the Iranian parliament.

Qalibaf said, "the Iranian legislative body is completely ready to hold an extraordinary meeting of the Permanent Committee on Palestine of the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States at the speakers' level (in Tehran) to explore practical solutions in support the oppressed people of Palestine."

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The Iranian speaker praised Algeria for its positions and role in condemnation of the Israeli attacks and support of the "oppressed" people of Palestine, calling on Muslim countries to take immediate action to stop "Israel's cruel and inhumane attacks against the Gaza Strip and its civilians, including women and children."

For his part, Boughali reaffirmed his country's support for the people of Palestine.

The Algerian speaker welcomed Iran's proposal for holding an OIC parliamentary meeting on Palestine in Tehran, echoing the necessity to end Israel's attacks against Gaza and seek practical solutions to help the Gazans.

Senior Egyptian, Fatah officials urge ceasefire

In Cairo, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and visiting senior Fatah official Jibril Rajoub on Tuesday stressed the importance of reaching an immediate and unconditioned ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Palestinians look at buildings destroyed in the Israeli bombardment in the morgue in Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip, Nov 7, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)

Sameh Shoukry stressed that "Egypt is against any bids to liquidate the Palestinian cause," adding that comprehensive peace and coexistence in light of a two-state solution is the way of settling the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Shoukry and Rajoub, secretary-general of the Central Committee of the Palestinian National Liberation Movement (Fatah), made the remarks when discussing the developments in Gaza and means of containing the conflict's repercussions at all levels, according to a statement from the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.

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The two sides also exchanged views on the necessary moves to end the tragic situation and ease the suffering of the Palestinian people.

"An immediate cease-fire with no conditions, commitment to international humanitarian laws, and access of relief aid to Gaza with no obstacles are necessary," the statement quoted Shoukry as saying.

The Egyptian minister rejected any double standards adopted by some international players and any attempt to not reach any agreement concerning ending the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and stopping the Israeli aggression under the pretext of so-called "self-defense or combating terrorism."

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He stressed that "Egypt is against any bids to liquidate the Palestinian cause," adding that comprehensive peace and coexistence in light of a two-state solution is the way of settling the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

For his part, Rajoub praised Egypt for backing the Palestinian cause, voicing the Palestinian side's keenness to continue coordination and consultation with Egypt at the bilateral and international levels.

Meanwhile, the Saudi Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday a postponement of the 5th Arab-African Summit due to the current situation in Gaza.

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The summit was supposed to be held in Riyadh on Nov 11. The ministry said the postponement was to "ensure that political events in the region did not affect the Arab-African partnership," and a new date will be scheduled later.

The Israel-Hamas conflict, entering its second month on Tuesday, has led to the deaths of 10,328 Palestinians in Gaza, while more than 1,400 people have lost their lives in Israel, with the majority in the Hamas attack on Oct 7, which triggered the ongoing conflict. 

Separately, Imran Hussain, a lawmaker in Britain's opposition Labour Party has resigned from his policy role in protest at his leader's refusal to call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip.

Labour leader Keir Starmer has so far rejected growing calls in his party for him to press for a ceasefire, saying he supports an immediate humanitarian pause to ease the suffering in Gaza.

A lawmaker for a constituency in northern England with a large Muslim population, Hussain said while he still supported Starmer's broader agenda, he wanted to go further on the situation in Gaza. "I want to be able to strongly advocate for a ceasefire," Hussain, the party's spokesman for employment reform, said in a post on X late on Tuesday night. "In order to be fully free to do so, I have tonight stepped down from Labour's Frontbench."

He will remain an elected lawmaker in the Labour Party, but gives up his role as Shadow Minister for the New Deal for Working People.

With inputs from Reuters