Hanane Djoua
Doha
Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Dr Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari has reiterated Qatar’s commitment to continue providing humanitarian aid to Syria.
Speaking at a media briefing on Tuesday, Dr Al Ansari highlighted extensive efforts undertaken by the State of Qatar to deliver essential aid to Syria. He reiterated Qatar’s calls for the immediate lifting of international sanctions to ensure unhindered humanitarian access.
On Monday, the fifth aircraft from the Qatari Armed Forces arrived at Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut, carrying over 33 tonnes of medical supplies, food, and shelter materials provided by the Qatar Fund for Development.
“This brings the total number of flights within the air bridge to five over the past month, delivering 144 tonnes of aid,” Dr Al Ansari said.
“Three flights were directed to Gaziantep, Turkey, one to Marka Military Airport in Jordan, and now to Beirut.”
Dr Al Ansari affirmed that the air bridge will remain operational for as long as the need persists, underscoring Qatar’s history of similar initiatives in Sudan, Lebanon, and Palestine.
“We hope the air bridge can soon be extended to airports in Syria to facilitate aid delivery. This requires lifting of sanctions, which have become a significant obstacle to delivering humanitarian assistance in all its forms.”
A Qatari delegation, led by the Minister of State, recently visited Damascus to evaluate Syria’s most urgent needs and explore how Qatar could directly contribute. Discussions included the technical rehabilitation of Damascus International Airport, which has suffered from years of neglect under the previous regime and recent Israeli strikes. “The symbolic landing of a Qatari aircraft in Damascus underscores Qatar’s commitment to doing everything necessary to restore the airport’s functionality and resume international flights,” Dr Al Ansari said.
He highlighted that a technical team is working to expedite the process, addressing critical safety requirements to make the airport suitable for international use.
He emphasized that lifting sanctions on Syria is essential not only for facilitating aid delivery but also for supporting the country’s broader economic framework. “The reasons for these sanctions — the crimes of the previous regime — are no longer valid. The international community must act swiftly to lift them,” he said, adding that Qatar is actively working with international partners to support Syria’s transitional period.
Qatar has voiced strong support for the inclusive national conference proposed by Syria’s new leadership under Ahmed Al-Sharaa, aimed at empowering Syrians to shape their future without external interference.
“This is an opportunity for the Syrian people to redraw their political future based on their aspirations,” Dr Al Ansari stated.
While investment discussions remain premature, Qatar’s immediate focus is on addressing critical needs in energy, humanitarian aid, and infrastructure. “Qatar has always been committed to supporting its Syrian brothers, and we will continue to provide the necessary support,” Dr Al Ansari affirmed.
Dr Al Ansari also provided updates on the ongoing ceasefire negotiations in Gaza, which are being conducted simultaneously in Doha and Cairo.
He stressed Qatar’s dedication to coordination with Arab nations to achieve a resolution.
“We reiterate our call for all parties to engage seriously with the Qatari-Egyptian-American mediation efforts and avoid any actions that could hinder progress,” he said.
Reflecting on Qatar’s broader regional role, Dr Al Ansari acknowledged the persistence of humanitarian crises.
“Unfortunately, our priorities have remained the same for years because the situation continues to deteriorate,” he said, pointing to worsening conditions in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and the West Bank.
“We remain hopeful that the coming years will bring transformative change, and Qatar will continue to lead in supporting humanitarian efforts wherever they are needed,” he said.
