CAIRO, March 12, 2018 (WAFA) - Speaker of the Arab Parliament, Mishaal bin Fahm al-Salami, Monday called on world‘s parliaments to urge their countries‘ governments to support UNRWA to continue its work.

In a statement, al-Salami said he sent letters to a number of parliaments of the world, especially those that support UNRWA continuously, such as the UK, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Australia, Switzerland and Canada.

He expressed appreciation to these countries for the assistance provided to the UN agency.

In the letters, al-Salami highlighted the position of the Arab parliament, which refuses to politicize the humanitarian role played by UNRWA, following the US decision to freeze a portion of its aid for the agency.

He highlighted the need to maintain the continued support of UNRWA to ensure the continuation of its higher mission and the implementation of its activities and services.

The US, the largest contributor to UNRWA, announced on January 16 that it will withhold $65 million out of $125 million it had planned to send to UNRWA.

A.D./M.H.