DOHA: Adviser to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Majid bin Mohammed Al Ansari, affirmed that the State of Qatar's role toward Syria is represented in positively achieving the aspirations of the people of Syria, who are in sore need of significant support, highlighting that all of Qatar's doors and communication channels are open to all parties at various levels to extend a helping hand and conduct the essential consultations on the future of Syria.
During the weekly press briefing organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Al Ansari, underlined that the embassy of the Syrian opposition in Doha is among the new Syrian embassies, emphasizing that this underscores a sense of pride and that the State of Qatar's position has not changed since day one of the Syrian crisis, in support of the aspirations of the brotherly people of Syria by all means available.
The State of Qatar is consistently engaging with all parties with respect to the Syrian case, along with regional and global parties to ensure everything is provided to support the Syrian brothers to restore their country and constitute the national unity in a manner that is commensurate with the gravity of the responsibility of this stage, Al Ansari highlighted.
He emphasized that Qatar stand with the brothers in Syria and emphasize the importance of working together to fulfill their aspirations, particularly following the fall of the Syrian regime, stating that over the past 48 hours, numerous contacts have been made with various parties to assess the needs of the Syrian people and to offer assistance in any form that may be requested from the State of Qatar.
Al Ansari pointed out that the coming days will be very busy with meetings with Arab and regional counterparts to engage in the necessary discussions, underscoring the State of Qatar's steadfast position since day one to support the aspirations of the Syrian brothers and provide everything possible for them, as all chances are available before them to achieve their aspirations in alignment with international law.
For more than a decade, the people of Syria have struggled to regain freedom with unequivocal aspirations since day one in front of the international community so as to achieve their freedom, dignity, and territorial integrity, he noted, adding that today is the perfect chance to achieve these aspirations.
Al Ansari stressed the importance of the role performed by the international community in supporting the aspirations of the Syrian brothers and backing consensus in Syria among its diverse components, as Syria is for all. He stated that the State of Qatar is sanguine about the positive measures that have bolstered national unity, which were observed over the past days.
The positive steps declared by various parties in Syria are indicative of the fact that the Syrian brothers want a dignified life to live in peace and security, Al Ansari said, adding that communications with the sisterly Syria were severed due to the presence of a regime responsible for dire crimes that the State of Qatar cannot accept, but now a transitional authority in Damascus is in place.
He emphasized that Qatar would engage positively with this new phase, continuing to provide aid and maintain all forms of communication, indicating that is not merely about the restoration of relations, but about ongoing Qatari support for the people of Syria.
In addition, Al Ansari touched upon the latest practices of the Israeli occupation army toward Syria and the seizure of the buffer zone with the Syrian Arab Republic and its neighboring leadership positions, considering this act as an Israeli opportunism that cannot be accepted in the international community.
No body is under the umbrella of the law of the jungle, and there is international law, international legitimacy, and international institutions, and Syria's territorial integrity and unity must be respected, and these circumstances should not be exploited, stressed Al Ansari.
Al Ansari emphasized that communications are ongoing with regional and global parties on this topic, highlighting that the State of Qatar's position is crystal clear through the statement it has issued, which criticized the policy of status quo pursued by the Israeli occupation army, including the attempts to occupy Syrian territories.
He stressed that these practices would lead to further tensions and violence, stating that the international community must uphold its legal and moral responsibility to compel the Israeli occupation army to abide by the international legitimacy resolutions, as well as solidarity to counter the Israeli opportunistic plots.
Al Ansari spoke about the Doha meeting held regarding the developments in Syria, which included the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as the Foreign Ministers of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Republic of Iraq, and the Astana group, which includes the Foreign Ministers of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Republic of Turkiye, and a representative of the Russian Federation.
Al Ansari added during the weekly media briefing that the Doha meeting on the developments in Syria was held hours before the demise of the Bashar Al Assad regime and the opposition forces' entry into Damascus, noting that the joint statement issued by the meeting affirmed that the continuation of the crisis in Syria would pose a dangerous development for the safety of the country and regional and international security, stressing the need for all parties to seek a political solution to the crisis.
Their Highnesses and Excellencies the Ministers stressed during the meeting the need to stop military operations, in preparation for launching an inclusive political process, added Al Ansari, stressing the importance of continuing coordination and consultation to contribute effectively to the political solution to the Syrian crisis in a way that achieves security, stability and justice for the Syrian people and enhances efforts aimed at consolidating regional security and stability.
He highlighted the State of Qatar's Dec. 8 statement that carried Doha's keen follow-up of developments in Syria and stressed the need to preserve national institutions and the unity of the state in a way that prevents it from slipping into chaos.
Al Ansari pointed out that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs renewed its emphasis on ending the Syrian crisis in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions and Security Council Resolution 2254 in a way that achieves the interests of the Syrian people and preserves the unity, sovereignty and independence of their country, calling on all parties to adopt dialogue that preserves the state and its national institutions, ensures the future of the Syrian people, and achieves their aspirations for development, stability, justice and unwavering support for their choices.
He pointed out that the Arab region has been for a long time in need for a glimmer of hope amid all these ongoing crises and conflicts in the region and the killing and destruction machine that has not calmed down for more than a year in the region.
Al Ansari added that there was an opportunity to achieve the aspirations of the Syrian people in line with their sacrifices for freedom, and to establish a homeland for all, achieving all the aspirations they have been aspiring to since the start of their 2011 uprising. He called on all parties and those with whom communication has begun in various forms, to work together to maintain the unity of Syrian territory, so that the next stage will be to meet the aspirations of all Syrians without exception.
In this regard, Al Ansari highlighted the State of Qatar's air bridge carrying humanitarian aid to the Syrian people upon HH the Amir's directives. The first aircraft landed in Gaziantep, Turkiye carrying 27 tons of food, medical and shelter supplies provided by the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) - an aid reflecting Qatar’s unwavering support for Syrians in all possible ways.
On Tuesday afternoon, a Qatar Armed Forces plane touched down at Jordan's Marka Military Airport carrying a QFFD-provided assistance of 25 tons of food, medical and shelter supplies, bringing the total aid so far to 52 tons.
In the same context,Al Ansari said that HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani patronized on Saturday the 22nd Doha Forum under the slogan ‘The Innovation Imperative’.
Al Ansari highlighted Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani's inaugural speech that hailed the Doha Forum as a global platform for all leaders to confront global challenges and to break new ground for multiple political, security, environmental and other issues, while taking into account principles, benefiting from available tools and exploring opportunities.
The Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed that what is taking place in Gaza today represents a stark example of a violent spiral and unprecedented humanitarian tragedy whose serious repercussions that threaten the stability of the entire region appeared in its most prominent forms in Lebanon, casting doubt on the effectiveness of traditional measures in addressing conflicts
Al Ansari highlighted during the weekly press briefing that the opening ceremony of the Doha Forum was attended by several distinguished leaders, including President of Senegal, President of the Dominican Republic, President of Namibia, Chairwoman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, President of Kazakhstan, President of Rwanda, and President of the Central African Republic.
He noted that Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs participated in several meetings and sessions at the Doha Forum. He first participated in a panel discussion titled Conflict Resolution in a New Era and held meetings with several distinguished leaders, including the President of the Dominican Republic HE Luis Rodolfo Abinader, and President of Senegal HE Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
He also met with the Egyptian Prime Minister, as well as the Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey, Iraq, the Czech Republic, Norway, India, Mali, and Cyprus. These meetings primarily focused on bilateral relations, discussions on developments in the region, particularly the war in Gaza, the situation in Lebanon, and recent developments in Syria.
Additionally, he mentioned that Minister of State for Foreign Affairs HE Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi met on the sidelines of the Doha Forum with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Honduras, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania, the State Secretary for Foreign and Global Affairs of Spain, and the Minister of African Integration and Foreign Affairs of Senegal.
He also noted that Minister of State for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad met with the Prime Minister of Barbados and the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
He noted that Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi participated in several sessions at the Doha Forum and met with the UN Special Envoy to Syria and the Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
As part of Qatar’s ongoing communication regarding developments in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, Al Ansari noted that HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani received a phone call on Monday from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Jordan HE Dr Ayman Safadi.
On Saturday, he also received two phone calls, one from Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran HE Abbas Araghchi, and the other from Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkiye HE Hakan Fidan. Al Ansari added that on Dec 6 received a phone call from Minister of Foreign Affairs and Migration and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt HE Dr Badr Abdel Aty. The call discussed the latest developments in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories, as well as updates on the situation in Syria and several topics of mutual interest.
