Japan and Tunisia on Thursday agreed to work together for peace in the Middle East, where violence between Israeli security forces and Palestinians has claimed more than 70 lives.
"I am deeply concerned about (the situation). We should work together to bring peace in the Middle East." Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori told visiting Tunisian Foreign Minister Habib Ben Yahia.
The Tunisian foreign minister said Japan and Tunisia should discuss what the two nations could do to stabilize the situation, according to a Japanese foreign ministry official.
Later in the day, Ben Yahia met with Foreign Minister Yohei Kono and gave Tunisia's support for Japan's bid for permanent membership of the UN Security Council.
Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States have permanent seats on the Council and each has the power to veto its decisions.
Ben Yahia arrived in Japan on Tuesday for a week-long visit -- TOKYO (AFP)
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