Doha / Information Office / September 09
The State of Qatar participated in the 154th Ordinary Session of the Arab League Council at the ministerial level.
The delegation of the State of Qatar to the meeting, which was held via video conference technology, was headed by HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi.
In his speech to the meeting, His Excellency renewed the heartfelt condolences of the State of Qatar to the government and people of the Republic of Lebanon for the victims of the Beirut port explosion, and called for solidarity to face the repercussions of this disaster. He referred to the position of the leadership, government and people of the State of Qatar in support of Lebanon and its people. He also noted the urgent medical assistance provided by the State of Qatar and the installation of two full field hospitals, as well as the dispatch of a team of 50 experts from the Internal Security Forces to Beirut to assist in search and rescue operations.
In this context, he pointed to the participation of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani in the International Conference on Assistance and Support to Beirut and the Lebanese People, and the announcement of the State of Qatar's contribution of USD 50 million to help in relief operations and alleviate the suffering of the Lebanese people, hoping that Lebanon emerges strong and overcomes this ordeal.
He stressed that the Palestinian cause will remain a central issue for Arabs, and renewed the State of Qatar's adherence to the references and constants of this cause, which has been an international consensus over the past decades, foremost among which are the decisions issued by the Security Council, the United Nations and international references for the peace process. The most important of these are the two-state solution, the principle of land for peace, and the Arab Peace Initiative, which was adopted in 2002, and its acquisition of an international characteristic as a framework for the solution.
His Excellency also affirmed the steadfast position of the State of Qatar towards the historical rights of the Palestinian people, in self-determination and establishing their independent state on the borders of June 4, 1967, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, and the right of refugees to return to their areas. Any deviation from these constants is considered a violation of international law, he added.
HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs said that the State of Qatar affirms its welcome to the attempts for reconciliation and rapprochement between the various Palestinian forces and factions, which has been reflected in recent contacts between their leaders who have assumed a sense of responsibility and realized that the current situation requires more unity and agreement, and giving priority to the supreme interest of the Palestinian cause over narrow personal interests.
In the humanitarian field, His Excellency pointed out that the State of Qatar will spare no effort in providing humanitarian aid to the brotherly Palestinian people.
On the situation in Yemen, His Excellency said that the tragic situation in Yemen, and the devastation, destruction and acts of killing and burning that followed call on us to stand now without delay or procrastination in order to work to stop the war and push all the conflicting parties to achieve national reconciliation in accordance with the outcomes of the National Dialogue, the Gulf initiative and Security Council Resolution 2216.
He affirmed that the State of Qatar fully supports the brotherly Yemeni people to preserve their security, safety and homeland unity. He renewed its call to all Yemeni forces to give priority to the voice of wisdom and the interest of its people and not to further tear the social fabric, as well as its call for an immediate end to the military escalation and a return to the outcomes of the comprehensive national dialogue agreed upon by the political forces, and all spectrums of the Yemeni people.
Regarding the Libyan issue, HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi said that the unity, stability and sovereignty of Libya and its territorial integrity and independence along with the end of the bloodshed of its people and the preservation of its capabilities and wealth are a goal that we all aspire to, and we strive to achieve it no matter what efforts it costs us.
He added while the State of Qatar welcomes the agreement by the Presidential Council of the Government of National Accord and the Speaker of the Libyan House of Representatives on an immediate ceasefire and the suspension of all combat operations in all Libyan lands, and the activation of the political process, we hope that all Libyan parties respond to the announcement of ceasefire, the lifting of the blockade on oil fields to resume production and exports and accelerate the completion of the political process, in accordance with the Skhirat Agreement signed in December 2015, and all its outputs, leading to a comprehensive political settlement that preserves Libya's sovereignty and territorial integrity and fulfills the aspirations of its people for security and stability.
He pointed out that the international community's failure to protect and stop the systematic brutal practices as well as killing and displacement against the Syrian people at the hands of the Syrian regime, represents a failure of its system and mechanisms entrusted with maintaining international peace and security. He also said that the horrors of this futile war represents a stigma and poses an ethical challenge that puts humanity and the human conscience at stake, when the world sees with all sorrow that the fate of millions of brotherly Syrian people is subject to the calculations and interests of international powers.
HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs said that the grave humanitarian effects and the threats of the Syrian crisis to international security and stability necessitate the international community - especially the Security Council - to assume the responsibility of protecting civilians through a comprehensive ceasefire, allowing humanitarian aid to reach all parts of Syria, and holding those responsible for crimes and violations to account and bringing them to justice.
He reiterated the State of Qatar's affirmation that the only way to end the Syrian crisis is to intensify efforts to reach a political solution based on the Geneva Declaration 1 and Security Council Resolutions No. 2254.
In the humanitarian field, he added, the State of Qatar will spare no effort in providing all forms of support and assistance to the brotherly Syrian people in the places of displacement and asylum.
With regard to Sudan, His Excellency expressed Qatar's sincere condolences to the victims of the floods that swept through several regions of Sudan, wishing a speedy recovery for the injured, and affirmed Qatar's permanent support to them. He noted in this regard the directive of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to send urgent relief aid to help people affected by these floods in Sudan.
HE Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi also renewed the State of Qatar's welcome to the initiation by the transitional government in Sudan, the revolutionary front and a number of armed movements to the peace agreement in Juba, and affirmed the State of Qatar's appreciation for the State of South Sudan's sponsorship of these negotiations, and its aspiration that the remaining factions join the peace process to achieve the aspirations of the Sudanese people. He stressed the firm position of the State of Qatar in support of the unity and sovereignty of Sudan.
Regarding Somalia, His Excellency reiterated the State of Qatar's affirmation of respecting the sovereignty and unity of Somalia, its political independence and territorial integrity, and its continued support for the Somali government and the Somali people. He pointed out the State of Qatar's call for the need to fully implement the decisions of the League Council in support of Somalia, whether at the summit level or at the ministerial level, to achieve its hopes and aspirations and ensure a prosperous future for the coming generations.
He emphasized the State of Qatar's constant keenness to actively and permanently participate in all events and meetings that would support joint Arab action, and reiterated Qatar's request to the General Secretariat of the Arab League states to work on removing all obstacles that prevent the participation of the delegations of the State of Qatar, at various levels, in meetings of the Arab League, as stipulated in the headquarters agreement.
His Excellency congratulated HE Foreign Minister of the Sultanate of Oman Sayyid Badr bin Hamood Al Busaidi, and HE Tunisian Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Tunisians abroad Othman Jerandi on assuming the new positions, wishing them success in their duties.
He also extended his sincere thanks and appreciation to HE Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah for his appreciated effort and good management during his presidency of the Council's last session, while wishing HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of Palestine success during his presidency of the new session.