ABUJA, March 1 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerian government has expressed deep concern about the evolving situation in the Middle East following military operations by Israel and the United States against targets in Iran.
In a formal response to the surge in hostilities late Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted the impact of these developments on regional stability and international security, saying they pose "grave consequences."
"Nigeria calls on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from actions that could intensify hostilities, and prioritize dialogue over confrontation," the foreign ministry said, emphasizing the imperative of restraint in the use of lethal force to prevent further loss of civilian lives and avoid any actions that could undermine established norms of international law.
It added that as a longstanding advocate of non-alignment, multilateralism, and constructive engagement, Nigeria supports renewed diplomatic efforts within established international and regional frameworks to resolve the crisis. ■