Doha, Qatar: Adviser to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majid bin Mohammed Al Ansari affirmed that the State of Qatar is working in coordination with its mediation partners to expedite reaching the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, describing the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in the Strip as "man-made, not a natural disaster."
During the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' weekly media briefing on Tuesday, Dr. Al Ansari stated that preventing the entry of aid, delaying the entry of reconstruction materials, and delaying the opening of the Rafah crossing are leading to more casualties in Gaza every day. He emphasised that using humanitarian aid as a bargaining chip in any negotiations or agreements is "unacceptable."
He added that the State of Qatar, in coordination with its mediation partners, is working to expedite reaching the second phase of the agreement, which includes the delivery of more aid and facilitating its passage through the Rafah crossing.
He reiterated Qatar's position calling for the unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza without any obstacles or pretexts that the Israeli occupation or any other party might use, and stressed the international community's full responsibility in this regard.
Regarding the mediation efforts, the Adviser to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that the State of Qatar, in coordination with the Arab Republic of Egypt and the United States of America, is conducting almost daily contacts at various levels.
He noted that the progress achieved in implementing the first phase of the agreement is a significant accomplishment.
He called on the international community to exert more pressure on all parties to reach the second phase, especially since the remaining obstacles do not warrant delaying its implementation.
He said that all living hostages are now in Israel, and all bodies have been handed over except for one.
He noted that the reason for not moving to the second phase was due to the Israeli government, stressing that the State of Qatar believes the agreement is ready to proceed to the second phase, which clearly defines the lines of contact and withdrawal zones.
Regarding regional developments, Al Ansari emphasised that the security of citizens and residents in the State of Qatar is a top priority, noting that the country is taking all necessary precautionary measures in this regard.
He explained that the region remains in a state of anticipation and is not experiencing actual military escalation, indicating that the State of Qatar continues its contacts with various regional and international parties to prevent any escalation of events.
He pointed out that the State of Qatar believes that the various conflicts in the region can be resolved peacefully, warning that any military escalation would lead to catastrophic consequences for the entire region.
The Adviser to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated the State of Qatar's position that dialogue is the way to resolve any conflicts, noting that the State of Qatar continues to exert every effort to reach solutions that satisfy all parties through peaceful means.
Regarding Iran, Al Ansari noted the intensive contacts that took place in recent days, both between Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani and the Iranian Foreign Minister HE Dr. Abbas Araghchi, as well as the contacts reported in the media between the US envoy and the Iranian Foreign Minister.
He affirmed Qatar's engagement in these contacts and its support, through all available means, for resolving disputes through dialogue and peaceful means, given the increasing challenges facing the region.
Concerning the tariffs imposed by the United States on countries trading with Iran, Al Ansari explained that Qatar is among the countries most compliant with international sanctions imposed on various entities, provided there is international consensus on this matter. He pointed out that the current situation is more complex, but this does not preclude reaching diplomatic solutions.
He said that the utmost importance now lies in avoiding any escalation in the region, and therefore, the return of the parties to dialogue is the number one priority, emphasising that the window for diplomatic solutions remains open despite the current tensions.
Dr. Majid bin Mohammed Al Ansari also outlined the Ministry's key activities during the week, stating that the third Qatar-Japan Strategic Dialogue was held Tuesday, with the Qatari side chaired by Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani and the Japanese side headed by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan HE Toshimitsu Motegi.
During the dialogue, he said, the two sides discussed the prospects for the close relations between the two countries and ways to develop them, particularly in the areas of trade, economy, investment, security, defence, education, and others, in a manner that serves the mutual interests of both countries. They also reviewed the latest regional and international developments, and both countries affirmed their full support for efforts to resolve conflicts through peaceful means.
He noted that HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs met yesterday with US Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs HE Jacob Helberg and CEO of the US International Development Finance Corporation Ben Black.
Al Ansari stated that the meeting explored the close strategic relations between the State of Qatar and the United States of America and ways to support and strengthen them, in addition to a number of topics of common interest.
He further added that HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs held a number of telephone calls. He received on Saturday a call from Minister of External Relations of the Republic of Angola HE Tete Antonio. He received on Sunday calls from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Iraq HE Fuad Hussein and from Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada HE Anita Anand.
He noted that Minister of State for Foreign Affairs HE Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi headed the State of Qatar's delegation to the extraordinary meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, last Saturday. His Excellency delivered a speech before the meeting in which he affirmed the State of Qatar's strong condemnation of Israel's recognition of the "Somaliland" region in the Federal Republic of Somalia, as an independent state. He stated that this unilateral action contravenes the principles of international law and constitutes an infringement upon the sovereignty, national unity, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
He explained that His Excellency emphasised the State of Qatar's support for the sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Somalia and its commitment to its unity and territorial integrity. His Excellency also affirmed the State of Qatar's categorical rejection of any attempt to link this measure to any plans to displace the Palestinian people from their land, reiterating the State of Qatar's firm and unwavering stance in support of the Palestinian cause.
Al Ansari stated that, within the framework of HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs' participation in the meeting, he met with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration, and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt HE Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of Bangladesh HE Touhid Hossain and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia HE Engineer Waleed bin Abdulkarim Al Khuraiji.
He noted, Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi met with Somali President's Envoy, HE Farah Sheikh Abdulkadir Mohamed and State Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Somalia, HE Ali Mohamed Omar.
He explained that the Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs met last Thursday with Special Representative of the African Union Commission for Mali and the Sahel region and Head of the African Union Mission in Mali, HE Sahel Mamadou Tangara. His Excellency also met via video conference with Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations for Peace Operations HE Jean-Pierre Lacroix.
