8 Nov 2016

Fiji PM in Israel meeting Netanyahu

2:37 pm on 8 November 2016

Fiji's prime minister Frank Bainimarama has met his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu during a visit to Israel.

The Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama at Government House in Auckland

The Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama will travel to Lebanon later this week before heading to the United Arab Emirates. Photo: RNZ/ALEX PERROTTET

Mr Bainimarama says the visit is part of a tour of Middle Eastern capitals to discuss Fiji's contribution to UN peacekeeping operations in the region.

Fijian peacekeepers are stationed on the Golan heights on the border between Syria and Israel and in Lebanon and Egypt.

Mr Bainimarama said the safety of Fijian peacekeepers is to be at the forefront of discussions and he'll also be giving the message that Fiji's commitment to keeping peace in the region will continue.

Fiji is looking for support from Israel on a range of issues including agriculture and more action on climate change.

Mr Bainimarama heads to Lebanon later in the week and the United Arab Emirates.

Fiji's President Jioji Konrote and military commander Rear Admiral Viliame Napote have also been in the Middle East in recent weeks, visiting peacekeepers and Fiji's diplomatic posts.

The Jerusalem Post reported Mr Netanyahu thanked his counterpart for Fiji's support in international forums, and joked that if peace talks with the Palestinians were to take place in Fiji, he wouldn't mind if they took an extra week.

The paper reported Mr Bainimarama also laid a wreath at a museum commemorating Holocaust victims.