Media Center

Doha, February 18

Adviser to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Majid bin Mohammed Al Ansari, reaffirmed on Tuesday the State of Qatar's commitment, along with its mediation partners Egypt and the United States, to supporting mediation efforts to initiate the second phase of ceasefire negotiations in the Gaza Strip.

Speaking during the Ministry's weekly media briefing, Dr. Al Ansari stated that contacts on this matter are ongoing daily with all parties involved, adding that several delegations have arrived in Doha in recent days and held extensive talks. He pointed out that these negotiations have not yet begun in an official capacity.

He also highlighted the positive feedback surrounding statements that encourage both parties to engage in the second phase of the agreement, reiterating that Qatar and its partners are working tirelessly to launch second phase negotiations.

Dr. Al Ansari described the recent statements in this regard from HE US President's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, and the Israeli Foreign Minister, as encouraging and supportive. He underlined that Qatar remains committed to facilitating the second phase of the talks and collaborating with all parties involved, with no doubts regarding the implementation of the agreement's terms.

He pointed out that the US envoy is in continuous contact with Qatari officials in Doha. He added that there is an ongoing Arab discussion within the Arab working group, hoping it will lead to positive results.

Regarding humanitarian aid, Dr. Al Ansari said that in continuation of the Qatari land bridge, Qatari aid to the Gaza Strip continues under the directives of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, noting that the State of Qatar announced the initiation of supplying Gaza with an additional 15 million liters of fuel to operate hospitals and shelters for the displaced in Gaza, bringing the total Qatari support in this land bridge to 30 million liters, of which around 20 million liters have been delivered so far.

He explained that Qatar has sent 28,000 boxes of medical supplies through the air bridge so far, and 20,000 shelter tents have been shipped from Qatar to Jordan, to be delivered to Gaza.

Regarding the US-Russia talks in Riyadh on Ukraine, Dr. Majid bin Mohammed Al Ansari expressed the State of Qatar's strong welcome of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's role and its full support for its efforts in this initiative to end the suffering that has caused many negative impacts on the humanitarian side and affected the international scene. He noted that since the first day of the Russia-Ukraine war, Qatar has called on both parties to engage in negotiations to end this crisis, and it is open to providing any role requested to support Saudi Arabia's initiative. He mentioned that in recent days, Qatari mediation succeeded in reuniting a new group of children with their families in Russia and Ukraine.

Concerning US President Donald Trump's plan for Gaza, Al Ansari said that the State of Qatar and all the brothers reject any displacement or settlement without the Palestinian people obtaining their rights, adding that Qatar is engaged in the Arab Working Group on Gaza, and communications are ongoing. 

Meanwhile, Dr. Al Ansari added that HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani's talks with HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Dr. Ayman Al Safadi on Sunday. The deliberations covered the latest regional developments, especially in the occupied Palestinian territories, the Gaza Strip, Syria and Lebanon, along with issues of common concern.

Al Ansari added that HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs renewed the State of Qatar's categorical rejection of schemes to transfer Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, stressing that such suggestions would renew confrontations in the occupied Palestinian territories and exacerbate the Palestinian people's suffering.

He added that HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs received a phone call on Sunday from HE Prime Minister of the Republic of Lebanon Dr. Nawaf Salam. His Excellency stressed the State of Qatar's unwavering support for Lebanon's unity and integrity of its territories and continued support for the Lebanese people.

His Excellency also stressed support for the new Lebanese government's efforts in the fields of development and economy, underscoring the importance of full commitment to implementing the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, and the withdrawal of the Israeli occupation forces from all Lebanese territories.

Dr. Al Ansari also highlighted HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs' talks with HE Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs at the Caretaker Government of Afghanistan Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, with His Excellency having stressed the State of Qatar's steadfast support for all Afghan people and its continued efforts to achieve security, stability, prosperity and decent living in Afghanistan.

In another context, Al Ansari pointed out that HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi represented the State of Qatar in the eighth Indian Ocean Conference on Sunday and Monday (February 16 -17) in the Omani capital, Muscat, which was held under the theme 'Voyage to New Horizons of Maritime Partnership'.

Meanwhile, Al Ansari stated that HE Minister of State for International Cooperation Maryam bint Ali Al Misnad met Monday with HE Minister of Economy and Labor of the Republic of North Macedonia Besar Durmishi and HE Secretary-General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Christiaan Rebergen.

On February 16, Her Excellency met with HE Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa Alvin Botes. Al Ansari said these meetings reviewed bilateral relations, and the growing Qatari role in the humanitarian field in particular.

Al Ansari highlighted HE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi's participation on Friday in the Munich Security Conference. He Al Muraikhi took part in a special session held on the sidelines of the conference addressing the State of Qatar's main role in promoting international peace and stability.

HE Al Khulaifi held separate talks with HE President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq Nechirvan Barzani, HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia Tanja Fajon, HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Sudan Ali Yousef Al Sharif, HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway Espen Barth Eide, HE Minister of Defense, Retirees and Martyrs' Children of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania Hanena Ould Sidi, HE Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Rafael Mariano Grossi.

He added that HE Al Khulaifi then headed to London where he met with HE Minister for the Middle East and North Africa at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the UK Hamish Falconer.

On Thursday, HE Al Khulaifi represented the State of Qatar at the Ministerial Conference on Syria in the French capital, Paris. His Excellency delivered an opening speech in which he stressed the importance of preserving Syria's unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, affirming the State of Qatar's firm support for the Syrian people and their choices.

During the conference, added Al Ansari, HE Al Khulaifi welcomed the positive steps aimed at restructuring the Syrian state, enhancing consensus and unity among all Syrian parties and announcing the Preparatory Committee for the National Dialogue Conference, reiterating emphasis on the importance of concerted action and international efforts to support the Syrian people.