New York/ 30 April 2014/ The State of Qatar has welcomed the Palestinian national reconciliation agreement which was reached in Gaza last week, hailed it as an important national achievement and a strategic choice and called on the international community to support this reconciliation that will contribute to creating favourable conditions for achieving the aspired peace. The State of Qatar has stressed that the success of any agreement is subject to Israel's refraining from all that would threaten opportunities for the establishment of an independent, sovereign and viable Palestinian state, warning in this regard against the repercussions of the continuing Israeli policies that hamper the chances for peace, foremost of which being the policy of imposing a fait accompli and continuation of settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories including East Jerusalem. This came in a statement the State of Qatar before the formal meeting the Security Council held to discuss the situation in the Middle East, including the question of Palestine, which was read out by the Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations HE Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani. Sheikha Alya said today marks the last date set for the conclusion of a framework agreement between the Palestinian and Israeli sides, pointing out that in spite of international support and the good offices made by the United States, Israel did not respond to all Arab and international efforts. She stressed that Israel, therefore, bear full responsibility for the failure of the negotiations, due to the series of actions that do not match any sincere desire to the success of efforts aimed to reach an agreement, including attempts to infringe on holy Jerusalem, the continued illegal settlement in the occupied Palestinian territory, refusal to release Palestinian prisoners , and other arbitrary actions and illegal practices. Sheikha Alya noted that the State of Qatar has repeatedly confirmed its commitment to the bases contained in the Arab peace initiative to achieve a just and lasting aspired peace in the region, stressing that it is necessary that any agreement should stem from the clear commitment to the Palestinian national rights namely the end of occupation, right to self-determination, the establishment of a fully independent Palestinian state on all the Palestinian territories occupied in 1967 with East Jerusalem as its capital, withdrawal from the occupied Syrian Golan Heights and the occupied Lebanese territories, approval of the right of return and other inalienable Palestinian rights. She drew the attention that Israel's continued imposition of the unjust siege on the Gaza Strip, prevention of the construction of the port and the rebuilding of the airport in the Gaza Strip and refusal of the entry of construction materials needed to rebuild what was destroyed by the recent Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, have led to the creation of a severe and unprecedented human suffering, confirming that such suffering needs to be addressed by the Security Council and exertion pressure on Israel to lift the blockade and activate the crossings agreement, reached in November 2005. Sheikha Alya said that with the Syrian crisis entering its fourth year, its consequences hit appalling levels, human rights violations, war crimes and encroachments upon international laws. She recalled Qatar's efforts to contribute to a peaceful settlement in Syria , seeking to talk the Syrian opposition into participating in Geneva 2 conference. However, the Syrian regime's procrastination in the negotiations was a proof of its unwillingness to pursue a political resolution, she said. The regime has recently taken steps to torpedo the whole peace process, she added. The Syrian regime, she pointed out, forced the migration of millions of Syrians, blocked humanitarian aid and confiscated medical appliances and precluded international organisations field visits as stated in the second UN Secretary General's report on the implementation of Resolution No 2139. Two months have passed since UN Resolution No 2139 was issued but it was not implemented, Sheikha Alia noted. No improvement in the protection of civilians was noticed, whereas the security situation has worsened and no improvement was noticed in accessibility of humanitarian aid. The Syrian regime's continued resort to systematic random killings and use of traditional heavy weapons cannot be overlooked, she said. She also called for investigation into the use of poisonous gas against civilians. Sheikha Alya urged the UN Security Council to take immediate steps to protects civilians in Syria and to find a mechanism for accountability for war criminals in that country.