Brazilian President, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has said his counterpart President Donald Trump was elected to govern the United States, not “to rule the world.”
“I respect the election of President Trump who was elected by the American people to govern the United States,” but “he was not elected to rule the world,” Lula said in an interview with two radio stations based in the northeastern state of Bahia on Thursday when asked about Trump’s recent plans to relocate Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.
Trump has to maintain “democratic and civilized” relations with the rest of the world, Lula noted, with reference to Trump’s intention.
Trump had said on Tuesday at a news conference that the United States would take ownership of the Gaza Strip and redevelop it after Palestinians are relocated elsewhere.
The Brazilian president also criticised the United States for promoting itself as “a symbol of democracy and ‘sheriff’ of the world.”
He described Trump’s statements on the occupation of certain countries and territories as “provocations.”
Meanwhile, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged the international community to continue pushing for a full ceasefire and the release of all hostages in Gaza.
He said this at a session of the UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, which met to elect a new bureau and adopt a work program for the year.