Qatar rejects US Jerusalem move

Qatar has rejected and denounced US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, warning the international community of its consequences and repercussions.
In a press briefing yesterday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lulwa al-Khater underlined that the move had no effect on the legal or moral status of the occupied city of Jerusalem, which is in the heart of millions of Muslims and Christians.
“The move confronts international legitimacy, including but not limited to the UN Resolution No (478) of 1980, which stipulates the withdrawal of diplomatic missions from Jerusalem.”
The official spokesperson called on the United States to back down from the decision, “which represents a unilateral step that has received a general rejection in international forums” noting that this was evident in the emergency Security Council meeting on December 8, and reflected in the reactions and successive meetings in this regard, “the most recent of which was the OIC emergency summit held in Istanbul today”.
Answering a question, al-Khater noted that the United Nations resolutions on the Palestinian issue were many and existing, but what was required was to act uniformly at both the Arab and Islamic levels in order to push these decisions into action.
“This is confirmed by the State of Qatar through its participation in the Arab League or through its participation in the Istanbul summit today.”
In another context, the official said Qatar is looking forward to participate in Iraq Reconstruction conference, which will be held in Kuwait in the first quarter of next year, stemming from its commitment to the renaissance of the sisterly Republic of Iraq, asserting that post-ISIS battle is no less serious than fighting the organisation.
She expressed the hope that Iraq will restore its strength, unity and prosperity through its people with all their sects and categories.
Al-Khater said Qatar has condemned the bombing of the subway station in New York and stressed that the attack on innocent civilians was a criminal act that cannot be accepted under any justification.
On the Gulf crisis, the spokesperson highly praised the efforts exerted by Kuwait which resulted in the holding of the GCC Summit on time.
She affirmed that Qatar’s participation at the level of leadership reflected  the country’s appreciation for these efforts and that the mediation of the emir of Kuwait was the means through which Qatar works through, and that the participation was aimed at preserving the GCC from total disintegration.
She stressed that Qatar continued its approach to heal the rift, while it continued to strengthen its strategic partnerships with various countries  to ensure the sustainability of its economy and its independence.
“Qatar is continuing all its projects, and although the current situation is not the best regionally and was not chosen by Qatar, it calls for dialogue and always stresses the importance of the unity of the Gulf entity, and Qatar will not be a reason for the demolition of the Gulf House.”
In response to a question about the increase in Qatar’s spending on armaments, and the signing of several agreements in this regard recently, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that most of these agreements had  been under negotiations long before the crisis started and referred to bilateral relations.