US thanks Pakistan for considering role in Gaza peace plan

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that Pakistan and several other countries have asked questions about sending troops to Gaza and have offered to consider deploying forces as part of a peace and stability plan.

Speaking at a press conference at the US State Department, Rubio was asked whether Pakistan had formally informed the United States of its willingness to send military troops to Gaza to help maintain peace and order.

In response, Rubio said the United States was grateful to Pakistan for offering to be part of the Gaza peace plan, or at least for considering such a role.

“We are very thankful to Pakistan,” he said.

He added that Pakistan and other countries were still seeking answers to certain questions before any final decisions could be made.

“Once those questions are addressed, we will be able to ask countries to formally offer their services for the Gaza peace plan,” Rubio said.

The US secretary of state said he was confident that many countries would be acceptable to all parties involved in the conflict and would be willing to step forward as part of a Gaza stabilisation force.