Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari
Doha, Qatar: Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari underscored that the Qatari and regional position towards the war on Gaza is clear, and is based on the fact that there is no alternative to stopping it immediately and sparing civilians the consequences of the fighting, expressing the State of Qatar’s appreciation for the American efforts within the framework of reducing the escalation.
At the weekly press briefing, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that the focus is now on pushing all parties to stop the war, end the bloodshed, protect civilians and civilian property, and deliver humanitarian aid to all of the Gaza Strip without obstacles.
Dr. Al Ansari warned that the Qatari role continues in the mediation aimed at ending the war, which began with the exchange of prisoners and detainees, and that no one accepts or allows another displacement of the Palestinian people, who have suffered more than one displacement over many decades, and there is nothing that legitimizes such displacement in any of the international laws.
He stressed that this position has become clear globally and that Qatar has emphasized it in more than one context, and is working in agreement with its partners, especially regional and international organizations, to send clear messages to the Israeli occupation that such actions of forced displacement will not be accepted in any way.
He added that Qatari negotiations and communications are continuing with all parties, and has not backed down even in the darkest times of this crisis, to exchange ideas, and will not stop or give up its role as a mediator in this crisis despite the challenges on the ground, which are causing major problems, referring to the assassination of Saleh Al Arouri, the leader of the Hamas movement in Lebanon, and to the daily massacres in Gaza, which lead to complicating the negotiation process, and delaying the end of this war and the release of the hostages.
Regarding the expansion of the war, the official spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the priorities of the State of Qatar were clear from day one, which were to stop this war, bring aid into the Gaza Strip, ensure that the scope of this war does not expand at the regional level, and release prisoners and hostages. He added that Qatar warned of what is happening today, which is a regional expansion and repercussions as a result of the ongoing conflict and Israeli aggression, explaining that the aggression cannot be expected to be limited to Gaza in light of the degree of its brutality and the crimes committed.
He stressed that there is still an opportunity to spare the region from the scourge of a comprehensive regional war by ending this aggression and addressing the outstanding issues, adding that there is no doubt that what is happening in the Gaza Strip will only result in the expansion of this crisis regionally.
He pointed out that the State of Qatar has repeatedly emphasized through all of its officials since day one of the war that work is undergoing to prevent this war from expanding regionally, and that these officials are in contact with all parties and regional partners to ensure that there are no regional repercussions, adding that what appears on the news screens raises concern that these repercussions have begun in the region.
The official spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that the regional parties agree that there is no choice but to end the war and that any process that leads to comprehensive peace in the region will be welcomed by all, and this is the common position expressed by the Arab Islamic Summit. In another context, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, will leave on January 15 to Davos to head the delegation of the State of Qatar participating in the World Economic Forum, which will be held from January 15 to 19.
