Spain signals support for UN-led mission to stabilise Gaza

Spain signalled support on Wednesday for French President Emmanuel Macron's proposal of an international coalition under a United Nations mandate to stabilise Gaza, calling it "one of the tools" that could bring peace to the region.

Macron said on Monday that such a UN mission would be tasked with securing the Gaza Strip, protecting civilians and working in support of unspecified Palestinian governance. He said the UN Security Council should work on establishing the mission, while France would also work with its partners.

"The proposal ... is one of the tools that can help achieve peace and security in Gaza and the Middle East, as is the work of Unrwa as the UN agency for aid to the Palestinian people," the Spanish ministry said in an emailed reply to questions from Reuters.

"This force must be a step towards building the two-state solution," it added.