Brazil’s Lula asks Trump to limit his ‘Board of Peace’ to Gaza and include Palestine, as the two leaders agree to meet in Washington soon.
BRASÍLIA: Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva asked his US counterpart Donald Trump to limit the proposed ‘Board of Peace’ to the Gaza conflict.
Lula made the request during a phone call on Monday where the two leaders agreed to meet in Washington, according to the Brazilian presidency.
The Brazilian leader proposed the board “be limited to the issue of Gaza and include a seat for Palestine.”
He also urged a “comprehensive reform of the United Nations, including the expansion of the permanent members of the Security Council.”
Last Friday, Lula accused Trump of trying to create “a new UN where only he is the owner” with the initiative.
The board’s charter does not limit its role to Gaza, suggesting a potential rival to the United Nations.
Traditional US allies like France and Britain have also expressed doubts about the plan.
The call continues a diplomatic thaw that began with the leaders’ first official meeting last October.
Since then, the US has exempted key Brazilian exports from 40% tariffs and lifted sanctions on a top Brazilian judge.
Lula and Trump also discussed Venezuela, with Lula calling for “peace and stability in the region.”
Earlier this month, Lula said a US attack to oust Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro crossed “an unacceptable line.”
The 50-minute call ended with an agreement for Lula to visit Washington.
The visit will occur after Lula’s trips to India and South Korea in February, with a date to be set “soon.”
The veteran leftist has also held recent calls with Russia’s Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping.
