Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al-Ansari addressing the press conference yesterday. Pic: Rajan Vadakkemuriyil / The Peninsula
Doha, Qatar: Qatar continues its intensive efforts and engagements with regional and international partners to prevent escalation and support diplomatic solutions in the region, said Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al-Ansari, yesterday.
Responding to questions at the weekly MoFA press briefing, about negotiations between the United States and Iran, Al-Ansari said, Qatar along with regional and international partners, was working to prevent further escalation amid ongoing tensions, and promote dialogue.
“We can confirm that the efforts are still ongoing with all parties. We are looking towards a diplomatic resolution as we are speaking right now,” he said, adding that Qatar’s immediate focus was on preventing escalation and reopening the path for diplomacy.
He added that mediators were exchanging ideas between the parties and working towards a short-term solution that could pave the way for a broader agreement.
“We are doing our job as mediators, along with other mediators - Oman and Pakistan and everybody in the region, in exchanging ideas between parties,” he said.
“But we are hopeful that if we can get a reduction of the costs and eventually be able to push forward towards a major deal that could help us walk back into a situation of peace in our region.”
Addressing developments related to the Strait of Hormuz, Al-Ansari reiterated Qatar’s position on ensuring freedom of navigation and rejecting the use of the strategic waterway as a tool of political pressure.
“The State of Qatar reaffirms the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz in a manner that safeguards the interests of all countries in the region. It rejects the politicising of the Strait and its use as a means of pressure,” he said.
He stressed that any arrangements concerning the management of the Strait must be based on international law and regional consensus.
He added that Qatar was working closely with its GCC partners and other regional countries to address concerns and develop solutions.
About Gaza, Al-Ansari said mediators were continuing efforts to accelerate the implementation of the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, which is linked to the plan of US President H E Donald Trump. “The mediators stress the need to expedite the implementation of the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, which is linked to the plan of President of the United States of America H E President Donald Trump,” he said.
He said the Palestinian side and Hamas had demonstrated commitment to the agreed roadmap and called on Israel to fulfil its obligations under the agreement.
“The Palestinian side and Hamas have demonstrated their commitment to the agreed roadmap. It is expected that the Israeli side will honour all of its commitments, withdraw from Gaza, and comply with international law,” he said.
“Our position is clear that there are obligations Israel must implement in accordance with the Gaza ceasefire agreement.” Al-Ansari said Qatar was urging the international community to pressure Israel to implement the agreement, stop attacks and withdraw from Gaza. He added that Qatar wanted to see the agreement lead towards recovery, reconstruction and peace.
