KATHMANDU, Jan 20: Minister for Foreign Affairs (MoFA) Arzu Rana Deuba held a phone conversation with Egyptian Foreign Minister (FM) Bader Abdel-Ati on Monday, urging him to take initiative for the release of Bipin Joshi, who is held captive by the Hamas group in Palestine.
Hamas has started the process of releasing the prisoners under its control from Sunday after the peace talks and ceasefire between the Israeli government and Hamas. Minister Rana made this request to the Egyptian government through Foreign Minister Abdel-Ati to take initiative for Bipin's release in the first phase.
Minister Rana, who is in Bangkok for her health treatment, held a phone conversation with the Egyptian minister from there. During the exchange, she thanked the Egyptian government for their role in achieving the ceasefire between the Israeli government and Hamas. Similarly, Egyptian Foreign Minister Abdel-Ati has assured that he would give special instructions to the Egyptian mediator for the release of Joshi.
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Ever since the ceasefire talks between the Israeli government and Hamas, Minister Rana has been urging Qatar and Egypt, which are mediating the peace talks with Hamas, to launch special initiatives for the release of Joshi.
Just a few days ago, Minister Rana had also made the same request by phone to Qatar's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulayfi who is the chief negotiator and mediator in the peace talks.
Similarly, Minister Rana had also made a phone call to Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar a few days ago and had specifically requested him to take the initiative for the release of Bipin Joshi in the first phase of hostage release.
The Nepalis government has been continuing diplomatic efforts for the release of Joshi since last year. Minister Rana has been urging his release through the United Nations, international and regional forums and meetings.
