Tui Labasa Ratu Jone Qomate has expressed a fervent desire for global peace.

Ratu Jone attended the Remembrance Day at Sukanaivalu Ground yesterday and said people deserved to live in a safe environment.

He expressed sadness regarding the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, as well as the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas.

He said world leaders needed to come up quick fast resolutions to stop those wars.

“We feel sorry for the people who are injured and have died in World War I and II, with the two wars currently going on,” Ratu Jone said.

“We feel sad for the parents of young men who didn’t or haven’t come back from these wars.”

He added Remembrance Day is to show respect for those who fought and died or got seriously injured when they fought to make a world a safer place to live in.

“For many of us today, it is about remembering fathers, grandfathers and great grandfathers who fought in both world wars and also those who are serving in peacekeeping missions overseas.

“If we could say something to one of the soldiers that died at war, we would say, thank you very much for saving our country.”

He said citizens of Fiji owe disciplined forces, especially the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, a huge appreciation for keeping the peace in this country.

* Nacanieli Tuilevuka is a freelance journalist based in the North.