DUSHANBE, January 6, 2009, Asia-Plus -- On Monday January 5, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan released a statement over the crisis situation in the Gaza Strip.

According to the MFA information department, the statement, in particular, noted that military clashes had resulted in numerous casualties among the civilians, including women and children.  As a result of these clashes, the Gaza Strip may be faced with humanitarian catastrophe.

The Tajik MFA stresses that there is no military solution to the Gaza Strip problem, the Arab-Israel conflict and the Middle East crisis as whole.

Hence, the Tajik Foreign Ministry calls on all confronting sides to announce immediate ceasefire and resume the negotiating process.

Confirming its support for mediatory efforts of countries and organizations aimed at pacific settlement of the Gaza Strip problem, the Tajik MFA expressed confidence that will of international community would be able to eliminate non-amicable settlement of conflicts.