Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Abdul Rahaman bin Jassim Al Thani (right) with GCC Secretary-General of H E Jassim Mohammed Al Budawi during a joint press conference at Sheraton Doha, yesterday. Pic: Salim Matramkot/The Peninsula.
Doha, Qatar: GCC leaders have stressed the importance of continuing mediation efforts to reach a complete and sustainable ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and to ensure safe corridors for aid to meet the basic needs of people in Gaza.
Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani has said that Their Majesties and Highnesses stressed the need for political process, leading to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Palestinians.
Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs while speaking during a joint press conference with GCC Secretary-General Jassim Mohammed Al Budaiwi at the conclusion of the meeting of 44th Session of GCC Supreme Council, which was held in Doha yesterday, said that the GCC leaders discussed a number of regional and international issues, most notably the war in Gaza and the crimes committed by the occupation forces, which is a blatant violation of international laws.
The Prime Minister said: “Qatar is making efforts for ceasefire, release of hostages and prisoners, and prisoners swap. Coordination continues with our partners in Egypt and the US in this regard.”
“The issue of humanitarian truce and the release of prisoners and hostages is a priority, but it is important to ensure a lasting ceasefire in order to reach a political solution.”
“The Ministerial Committee assigned by the Arab-Islamic Summit is also working actively for addressing the Gaza issue. It made several visits and the latest one is its participation in the UN Security Council meeting,” said the Prime Minister. He said that efforts continue in an attempt to reach a formula that will end the war and enable delivery of humanitarian aid in a smoother and more equitable manner.
“It is unacceptable for the aid to become a means of bringing the Palestinian people to their knees.”
He said that the GCC summit was held at a time when the region is going through a tumultuous period, especially with regard Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip.
“The GCC leaders discussed and exchanged views and ways to enhancing cooperation and integration in their work at all levels to end the war in Gaza and laid emphasis on preventing the expansion of the conflict and its repercussions on the region,” the Prime Minister added.
He said that Their Majesties and Highnesses stressed on the need for continued coordination between the relevant authorities in the member states at political, security and military levels, and stressed the importance of supporting and strengthening the work of the Ministerial Committee assigned by the Arab-Islamic Summit, which was held in Riyadh.
He said that the summit discussed issues for joint GCC action, especially the issue of cooperation and achieving economic integration.
GCC Secretary-General Jassim Mohammed Al Budaiwi said that the summit affirmed the clear position of the GCC countries to what is happening in the Gaza Strip.
“It affirmed the position and the credibility that the GCC countries enjoy at the regional and international levels due to their efforts, the most notable of which was what Qatar did to help the Palestinian people in Gaza,” said Al Budaiwi.
He said that the GCC leaders also discussed and approved many decisions and recommendations for joint Gulf action at all levels, the most important of which are those aimed at achieving economic integration in the GCC countries.
“There is a committee to coordinate aid at the General Secretariat of GCC countries. They meet regularly to discuss joint Gulf efforts to send aid, not only to the Gaza Strip, but also to other countries and regions,” said Al Budaiwi.
He appreciated the efforts made by Qatar, Amir, government and people to host the summit and make it a success.
