DOHA: The State of Qatar's priority is humanitarian in dealing with the situation in the Syrian Arab Republic at the present time, and providing everything necessary to ensure continued stability there, saidAdvisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA)Dr Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari.
Al Ansari said, during the weekly media briefing organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Tuesday, that the air bridge operated by the State of Qatar to provide relief to the Syrian brothers will continue as long as it is needed, noting the arrival of the fifth plane of the Qatari Armed Forces to Rafic Hariri Airport in Beirut onMonday, carrying more than 33 tonnes of aid, including medical supplies, food and shelter supplies provided by the Qatar Development Fund to Syria. That brought the total aid provided to the Syrians so far to 144 tonnes.
He renewed the State of Qatar's call for the necessity of working to lift international sanctions on Syria as soon as possible, so that they do not become a barrier to the entry of aid in all its forms, so that the Qatari air bridge extends to airports inside Syrian territory, which facilitates the arrival of this aid.
He added that the Qatari position is clear regarding lifting the sanctions on Syria, especially since the reasons leading to them, represented by the previous regime, have disappeared, which means that the reasons leading to these sanctions no longer exist today, and it has become imperative for the international community to work quickly to lift these sanctions.
He explained that within the framework of the visit made by the Qatari delegation headed by Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifito the Syrian capital, Damascus, on Mondayon board the first Qatar Airways flight to Damascus International Airport, the most prominent needs there were discussed, and how the State of Qatar can contribute to meeting these needs directly was discussed, stressing that Qatar will spare no effort in providing the necessary support to the Syrians.
The Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed out that the technical team that accompanied the Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Damascus aimed to identify the technical needs of the airport and discuss how to play a positive Qatari role in this regard, to ensure the rapid re-operation of the airport as an international airport, especially since it was subjected to very long periods of neglect, in addition to being bombed by the Israeli occupation.
Al Ansari pointed out that the symbolic message associated with the landing of the Qatar Airways plane at Damascus International Airport reflects the State of Qatar’s full commitment to doing everything necessary to ensure the airport’s re-operation and the resumption of flights to the Syrian Arab Republic, explaining that flights will quickly return to the airport when the technical requirements for that are available.
Al Ansari confirmed that the needs in the Syrian Arab Republic are being studied, and that the aid will be announced, explaining that some of it is related to the short and urgent term, and some of it is related to the strategic term.
Al Ansari added: "The priority is for urgent humanitarian needs to ensure the success of the transitional phase and its passage without any complications, especially on the humanitarian side, and then work to ensure Syria's return to the Arab nation, and to see it as we have always aspired."
He pointed out that the Syrian opposition embassy in the State of Qatar is the first of the new Syrian embassies, considering that this reflects the position of the State of Qatar, which has not changed since the first day of the Syrian crisis, and supports the aspirations of the brotherly Syrian people by all available means.
In this context, the Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted the resumption of the Embassy of the State of Qatar to the Syrian Arab Republic on December 17, and the appointment of HE Khalifa Abdullah Al Mahmoud Al Sharif as Chargé d'Affaires there.
He said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the resumption of the embassy's work comes after about 13 years of severing all diplomatic relations with the Syrian regime in 2011, as an expression of the State of Qatar's principled stand with the Syrian people's revolution and its steadfast support for their demands for a decent life, freedom and social justice, and as an affirmation of the State of Qatar's categorical rejection of all the regime's oppressive policies against the brotherly Syrian people.
Al Ansari added that the ministry indicated that the resumption of the embassy’s work in conjunction with the victory of the Syrian people’s revolution reflects the continued firm and supportive position of the State of Qatar towards the Syrian people and their struggle to obtain their legitimate rights to a decent life, and enhances its relief efforts that began with an air bridge to help the Syrian people overcome the requirements of the transitional phase, noting the raising of the Qatari flag on December 21 in Damascus for the first time in 13 years.
During the weekly media briefing, the Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs referred to the meeting of HE Dr Al Khulaifi with HE Ahmed Al-Shara, Commander-in-Chief of the new administration in the sisterly Syrian Arab Republic, within the framework of the visit made by the Qatari delegation to Damascus on Monday.
During the meeting, they reviewed the close relations between the two countries and ways to support and enhance them, and consulted on the future of Syria and the prospects of the State of Qatar’s continued support for the brotherly Syrian people in all fields.
He pointed out that the Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed, during the meeting, the continued firm support of the State of Qatar for the Syrian brothers to build a state of institutions that is governed by justice, freedom, development and peace, and achieves the aspirations of the Syrian people, noting that the position of the State of Qatar was and still is firm and has not changed towards supporting the revolution of the brothers in Syria, and stressing that the upcoming decisions concern the Syrian people alone and should not be subject to guardianship from anyone and they are the master of their decision, and ensuring the unity of Syria and working on a peaceful transfer of power through a political process that includes all spectrums of the Syrian people.
On the other hand, Al Ansari said during the weekly media briefing that it is too early to talk about investing in Syria at the present time, noting that the focus is now on providing everything necessary to support our Syrian brothers, especially in areas such as energy, the humanitarian aspect and infrastructure.
Within the framework of ongoing communications on the situation in Syria, Al Ansari noted the phone call made by Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on December 17 with HE Geir Pedersen, UN Special Envoy to Syria, where they discussed the latest developments in Syria, the position of the State of Qatar towards the ongoing developments in Syria and the need to support the transitional process in a way that preserves Syria’s unity, territorial integrity and the aspirations of its brotherly people.
Al Ansari added, that the Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed out, during the call, the importance of concerted international efforts, including the efforts of the United Nations and its agencies, to support the Syrian people and achieve their legitimate aspirations for security, stability and prosperity.
The Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs referred to the meeting of Minister of State for International Cooperation HE Mariam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad,on December 20, with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Special Coordinator of the German Foreign Ministry in Syria HE Tobias Lindner, where they reviewed cooperation relations between the two countries and ways to support and enhance them, and discussed the latest developments in the region, especially in Syria.
Regarding the Israeli practices regarding the expansion of settlements in the occupied Golan Heights, Al Ansari explained that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement in which it affirmed the State of Qatar’s strong condemnation of the Israeli occupation government’s approval of a plan to expand Israeli settlements in the occupied Golan Heights.
The ministry also stressed, in its statement, the need for the international community to assume its legal and moral responsibilities to compel the Israeli occupation to stop its attacks on Syrian territory, comply with international legitimacy resolutions, and show solidarity to confront its opportunistic plans.
On the other hand, the Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed out that Minister of State for Foreign Affairs HE Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, chaired, on December 17, the State of Qatar’s delegation participating in the meeting of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA), which was held via videoconferencing.
He pointed out that the minister stressed, in his speech during the meeting, the State of Qatar's commitment to working to achieve the goals of the SICA conference and build a more secure and prosperous future for the peoples of the Asian continent, where he said: "Our Asian continent is going through a historical turning point characterized by complex challenges and crises, whether on the security, economic or social levels. However, we believe that the Asian continent, with its enormous natural and human resources, remains a continent of opportunities and potential."
He added that the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs pointed out that enhancing joint action and intensifying efforts to promote regional cooperation that achieves the aspirations of our peoples towards stability and prosperity is the demand of the peoples of this continent, stressing the State of Qatar's keenness to contribute to maintaining peace and security in the region and in the Asian continent, by presenting initiatives and undertaking mediations to reduce the severity of differences and tensions in order to achieve stability and prosperity, and adopting dialogue as a basic means to resolve all disputes between countries.
Regarding the negotiations on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Al Ansari said: "The negotiations are still ongoing, as there are ongoing negotiations at the technical and technological level in Doha, and there are other tracks and contexts taking place in Cairo, and coordination is ongoing with our brothers in the Arab Republic of Egypt in this regard,” adding that no one can predict a specific time frame for reaching an agreement there.
Al Ansari stressed that the situation in the Gaza Strip has not improved at all, and that the humanitarian crisis is getting worse, saying: "We reiterate our call to all parties to deal with the Qatari-Egyptian-American mediation with complete seriousness, and without any measures that may hinder the success of these negotiations.”
The Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted the State of Qatar's welcome of the UN General Assembly's adoption of a resolution to refer the ban on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) to the International Court of Justice, and considered that the adoption of the resolution by a majority of 137 votes reflects the broad international rejection of the decisions of the Israeli occupation authorities to ban UNRWA's activities in the occupied Palestinian territories.
He pointed out that the State of Qatar warned that banning UNRWA activities would lead to serious humanitarian and political consequences, especially depriving millions of Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria of its essential services, in addition to liquidating the Palestinian refugee issue and their right to return to their areas and homes.
In a separate context, the Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Qatari-Iranian relations are stable and solid, as the two sides share work on some gas projects in the region, saying in this regard: "We are proud of our bilateral relationship with the Islamic Republic of Iran, and our discussions are ongoing about events in the region.”
Regarding the State of Qatar's relations with Russia, Al Ansari said that the State of Qatar's relationship with the Russian Federation is ongoing and positive, pointing out the Qatari side's involvement in another mediation between Russia and Ukraine in the framework of reuniting children affected by the war there with their families.
On the Lebanese level, Al Ansari referred to the meeting of Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi, on December 16, with General Joseph Aoun, Commander of the Lebanese Army, with HE Nabih Berri, Speaker of the Parliament, and with HE Najib Mikati, Prime Minister of the Caretaker Government.
He explained that these meetings reviewed the cooperation relations between the two countries and ways to support and enhance them, stressing His Excellency the great importance of the role of the Lebanese army in enhancing security and stability in Lebanon, and in preserving the sovereignty of the state and the unity of its territories in light of the increasing security and political challenges, and emphasizing the State of Qatar's firm position towards the Lebanese Republic, its unity and territorial integrity, and its continuous support for its brotherly people.