New York: Qatar renewed the call for unconditional dialogue with the blockade countries to resolve the fabricated crisis, stressing the failure of these countries to provide any evidence of their claims.

This came in a statement delivered by Permanent Representative of Qatar to the UN Ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani at the “The Situation in the Middle East, Including the Palestinian Question” debate held at the UN Security Council meeting.

The Ambassador stated that the gravity of the situation in the Middle East and the increasing and complexity of crises make respect for the international law, international humanitarian law and the international human rights law irreconcilable, calling on the Security Council to shoulder its responsibility and to take the necessary measures to stop the violations and alleviate tensions that have only had more catastrophic effects on international peace and security.

The Ambassador continued to say that the insistence on imposing unilateral illegal measures and unfair blockade on Qatar after more than two years of the fabrication of the crisis and the crime of electronic piracy of Qatar News Agency in order to justify the campaign of disinformation and extortion against the State of Qatar, contradicts the efforts led by the United Nations in the field of preventive diplomacy and the promotion of the peaceful resolution of disputes, stressing that such illegal actions constitute a flagrant violation of the Charter of the United Nations, international law and human rights.

She added that what confirms the bad intentions behind the imposition of the blockade and campaign incitement as well as the attempts to offend the State of Qatar, is a failure for the blockade countries.
Sheikha Alya Al Thani explained that Qatar, in order to ensure the security and stability of the region which is of great importance to the world, and in line with its well-known policy towards respect for international law and the resolution of disputes by peaceful means specified by the Charter of the United Nations, continued to affirm its readiness to resolve the crisis through unconditional dialogue based on mutual respect, and in this context, reiterating Qatar’s appreciation for the sincere efforts of the Amir of Kuwait H H Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah.

On the Palestinian issue, Sheikha Alya Al Thani said that the international community’s assertion that ending the Arab-Israeli conflict is a prerequisite for restoring stability and peace in the Middle East gives the international system the responsibility to end the tragedy of the Palestinian people and enable them to get their rights and achieve their legitimate aspirations.

She added that after testing several solutions that did not lead to the goal that the esteemed Council and the world seek, stressing that it has been confirmed that the settlement of the Palestinian issue will be achieved only according to the criteria and foundations agreed upon by the international community, namely the ending of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian and Arab territories, including the occupied Syrian Golan and Lebanese territories, the acceptance of a two-state solution and the establishment of an independent and viable State of Palestine on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, living side by side with Israel in peace and security.

She underlined the need for this solution to be in line with the relevant Security Council resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative, and the need for the return of refugees, halting settlement, dismantling Israeli settlements in the occupied territories, and lifting the siege on the Gaza Strip and the rest of the Palestinian territories.

The State of Qatar, she said, has not stood idly out of its concern towards achieving peace and stability in the Middle East, and has continued tireless and concrete efforts amid the obstacles facing the peace process.

Sheikha Alya also drew attention to the efforts exerted by the State of Qatar to alleviate the humanitarian situation and the positive impact of those efforts in easing tension towards achieving peace, referring to Qatar’s allocation this year of $ 480 million to strengthen the Palestinian Authority’s budget and provide humanitarian needs in the Gaza Strip. This allocation contributed to the increase in the production of the Gaza Power Plant with the support of fuel supply, which made a difference in the status of electricity, she added.

She also noted Qatar’s support for UN temporary employment programs in the Gaza Strip, stressing that it will continue to work with partners in the international community to push forward all efforts to find a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the Palestinian cause and to achieve stability and peace in the entire region.

Regarding Syria, the Ambassador reiterated Qatar’s call for a political solution to the crisis in Syria, and said that the brotherly Syrian people are still looking for their right to security, peace and a decent life through a political solution that meets their legitimate aspirations in accordance with the Declaration of Geneva and the Security Council Resolution 2254, affirming in this context Syria’s national and regional unity, sovereignty and independence.

She expressed Qatar’s aspiration at this stage to complete the steps towards starting the work of the Constitutional Committee and realizing the expectations placed upon it, reiterating the State of Qatar’s continued support to all efforts aimed at removing obstacles to peace and a political solution based on UN and legal references.

About the situation in Libya, she said that the continuation of the military operations launched by militias against Tripoli and the targeting of the internationally recognized legitimate government threaten the national unity and stability of Libya.

She renewed Qatar’s call for all actors to assume their responsibilities and respect the will of the Libyan people for a peaceful solution, warning that the intervention in the Libyan affairs increases the complexity of the crisis, prevents reaching a national consensus and contradicts Security Council resolutions. She also renewed the State of Qatar’s full support for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya Ghassan Salame’s efforts.

Regarding Yemen, she reiterated Qatar’s assertion that ending the conflict requires the engagement of all parties in a dialogue to achieve a political solution and national reconciliation, based on UN Security Council Resolution 2216, to preserve Yemen’s unity and achieve its security and stability.

She also expressed Qatar’s support for the efforts of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General, stressing the urgent need to secure the basic needs of all Yemenis, facilitate the arrival of humanitarian assistance and protect human rights.

Concluding the statement, Sheikha Alya said that the challenges facing the region as a result of policies based on disrespect for international will and disregard for international law require effective and speedy action to stop those policies and hold those responsible accountable, in line with the purposes and objectives of the Charter and in a manner that maintain international peace and security.