DOHA: Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari underscored that the Qatari and regional position towards the war on Gaza is clear, and is based on the fact that there is no alternative to stopping it immediately and sparing civilians the consequences of the fighting, expressing Qatar's appreciation for the American efforts within the framework of reducing the escalation.
At the weekly press briefing, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that the focus is now on pushing all parties to stop the war, end the bloodshed, protect civilians and civilian property, and deliver humanitarian aid to all of the Gaza Strip without obstacles.
Dr Al Ansari said that the Qatari role continues in the mediation aimed at ending the war, which began with the exchange of prisoners and detainees, and that no one accepts or allows another displacement of the Palestinian people, who have suffered more than one displacement over many decades, and there is nothing that legitimizes such displacement in any of the international laws. He stressed that this position has become clear globally and that Qatar has emphasized it in more than one context, and is working in agreement with its partners, especially regional and international organizations, to send clear messages to the Israeli occupation that such actions of forced displacement will not be accepted in any way.
He added that Qatari negotiations and communications are continuing with all parties, and has not backed down even in the darkest times of this crisis, to exchange ideas, and will not stop or give up its role as a mediator in this crisis despite the challenges on the ground, which are causing major problems, referring to the assassination of Saleh Al Arouri, the leader of the Hamas movement in Lebanon, and to the daily massacres in Gaza, which lead to complicating the negotiation process, and delaying the end of this war and the release of the hostages.
Regarding the expansion of the war, the official spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the priorities ofQatar were clear from day one, which was to stop this war, bring aid into the Gaza Strip, ensure that the scope of this war does not expand at the regional level, and release prisoners and hostages. He added that Qatar warned of what is happening today, which is a regional expansion and repercussions as a result of the ongoing conflict and Israeli aggression, explaining that the aggression cannot be expected to be limited to Gaza in light of the degree of its brutality and the crimes committed.
He stressed that there is still an opportunity to spare the region from the scourge of a comprehensive regional war by ending this aggression and addressing the outstanding issues, adding that there is no doubt that what is happening in the Gaza Strip will only result in the expansion of this crisis regionally.
He pointed out thatQatar has repeatedly emphasized through all of its officials since day one of the war that work is undergoing to prevent this war from expanding regionally, and that these officials are in contact with all parties and regional partners to ensure that there are no regional repercussions, adding that what appears on the news screens raises concern that these repercussions have begun in the region. However, the reason for these regional setbacks is the absurd war on Gaza, and once it stops, diplomatic efforts will gradually lead to an end to the escalation in general, regardless of who is carrying out this escalation, he pointed out.
The official spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that the regional parties agree that there is no choice but to end the war and that any process that leads to comprehensive peace in the region will be welcomed by all, and this is the common position expressed by the Arab Islamic Summit, the meetings of the various regional organizations, and the bilateral meetings between leaders and officials of the region. He said the region is committed to a peace process that leads to a comprehensive and fair solution to the Palestinian issue, and any effort in this framework will be supported by the region, but that is linked to stopping this senseless war, and to having a realistic and real road map that leads to achieving the aspirations of the Palestinian people.
Regarding the results of the ministerial committee emanating from the Arab-Islamic Summit, Dr Al Ansari explained that it represents the joint Arab-Islamic will to pressure the international community to carry out its role and tasks to stop this war and that its message was clearly conveyed to all the officials with whom the committee met, and that it is continuing its work, indicating that not ending the war is the responsibility of the international community and the Israeli occupation, stressing that this does not mean that the estimated efforts made by the ministers assigned by the summit were less than expected, but rather they were great, and the meetings that were held were fruitful for conveying the unified Arab-Islamic voice, and the impact of this appeared in the context of bilateral relations between Arab and Islamic countries and the countries visited by the committee.
In another context, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani will leave on Jan 15 for Davos to head the delegation of Qatar participating in the World Economic Forum, which will be held from Jan 15 to 19. With the participation of several ministers and officials, Qatar has always been present in this global event, especially in light of the developments taking place in the region and the state's main economic priorities.
Dr Al Ansari pointed out the continuation of Qatari humanitarian aid to Gaza with the arrival of aircraft No. 60 from the airlift, on Tuesday, to Arish airport in the sisterly Arab Republic of Egypt, carrying 29 tonnes of food aid, provided by the Qatar Fund for Development in preparation for transporting it to Gaza.He pointed out that the volume of aid amounted to about 1,880 tonnes, and 111 Palestinians were evacuated to Qatar from the Gaza Strip, in addition to 21 different cases, 74 patients, and 78 companions, for a total of 284 people.
He discussed the efforts of the Ministry and its officials during the recent period, and the most important matters covered in their meetings and communications, including the meeting of Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani with Secretary of State of the United States of America HE Antony Blinken.
They held a press conference on the latest developments in the situation in the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories and discussed ways to pressure for a ceasefire and lift restrictions imposed on humanitarian aid. His Excellency met with a delegation of members of Congress in the United States of America, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Mali HE Abdoulaye Diop.
Dr Al Ansari pointed to the meeting between HH President of the sisterly United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan and Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, where they discussed cooperation relations between the two countries, and ways to support and develop them, in addition to the latest developments in the region.
Dr Al Ansari touched on the telephone calls made by the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran HE Dr Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and Lebanese Caretaker Prime Minister HE Najib Mikati, during which they discussed the latest developments in the situation in the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories, the necessity of working towards an immediate ceasefire, protecting civilians, and the danger of expanding violence and the cycle of conflict in the region.
