The 35th meeting of the National Security Council on Monday discussed the potential impact of the escalating conflict in the Middle East on Nepal’s national security.

Rameshwar Dangal, member-secretary of the council, said that discussions focused on the challenges posed by the conflict, the safety of Nepalis staying in the region, and necessary future strategies.

The meeting also discussed recent international developments and legal challenges to national security.

Likewise, the council decided to recommend that the Cabinet approve the purchase of arms, ammunition, and other military logistics for the Nepali Army in the fiscal year 2024-25.

The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and attended by the home minister, defence minister, chief secretary, chief of army staff and defence secretary.

The security situation in the region has been consistently deteriorating as conflicts escalated in various countries after Hamas launched an attack on Israel in October last year.

The Council takes stock of the situation as millions of Nepalis are working in several Middle East countries and their safety has become a major concern of late.