Many global leaders united at an international peace conference to end the Gaza war held in Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh resort on Monday. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Chancellor of Germany, Emir of Qatar, President of Egypt, Prime Minister of Italy Georgia Meloni, heads of Britain, France and Jordan attended the conference.
The main objective of this high-level meeting was to end the ongoing conflict in Gaza and find a way for lasting peace in the region.
Erdogan appeared very active during the conference. According to sources, he held bilateral talks with many leaders and kept the atmosphere comfortable with a humorous manner.
Erdogan was seen laughing and joking with many leaders. He is the Prime Minister of Italy Georgia Meloni Jokingly said that now you should quit smoking.
Video of conversation going viral
In a light moment during the conference, Erdogan jokingly said to Meloni, “You look great, but I have to get you to quit smoking.”
The video of this conversation is going viral on social media. It is seen in the video that French President Emmanuel Macron is also standing nearby and after hearing this from Erdogan, he laughs loudly and says, “This is impossible.”
On this, Melonie smiled and said, “I know, I know… but if I quit smoking, maybe I would become less social. I don’t want to kill anyone.”
According to reports, Erdogan also jokingly reiterated that Türkiye is working towards a ‘smoke-free future’. That’s why wherever he goes he inspires people to quit smoking.
Questions raised on Netanyahu’s absence
However, the absence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from this conference was the most talked about thing. Netanyahu’s office had already made it clear that he would not attend the conference. According to sources, Turkish President Erdogan, with the support of some other leaders, had objected to Netanyahu’s possible participation.
A Turkish official told news agency Reuters that Erdogan and leaders of some other countries diplomatically opposed the idea of Netanyahu’s presence. Netanyahu’s office did not give any immediate reaction.
Trump and Al-Sisi appealed
At the conference, US President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi also sent messages online, appealing to all parties to exercise restraint and increase humanitarian aid.
This meeting in Sharm el-Sheikh proved to be an important diplomatic forum amid the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, where many countries reiterated in one voice that lasting peace in Gaza is possible only when all parties abandon violence and adopt the path of dialogue.
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