The Shura Council has commended, during its regular weekly session Monday at its headquarters in the Tamim Bin Hamad Hall under the chairmanship of His Excellency the Speaker of the Council Hassan bin Abdullah al-Ghanim, the steadfastness and cohesion of Qatari society in facing the "blatant Iranian aggression" to which Qatar has been subjected since February 28.
The Council praised the role of the Qatari Armed Forces and all security agencies in demonstrating full readiness and a high degree of professionalism in safeguarding the nation, protecting its territorial integrity, and maintaining the security and stability of society.
The Council affirmed that national unity and social cohesion constitute the first line of defence in the face of challenges, stressing that "our true strength lies in solidarity, collective resolve, and confronting adversity with a spirit of national responsibility”.
The Council emphasised that this national unity remains the fundamental pillar upon which the country relies to overcome crises and challenges, achieve comprehensive development across all sectors, and safeguard its achievements and gains.
The Council further affirmed that, despite the difficult circumstances and challenges, conditions in the country remain stable, thanks to the grace of Almighty God and the efforts of the esteemed government under the directives of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.
These directives, the Council noted, have resulted in the implementation of a carefully designed and well-co-ordinated action plan, alongside prudent measures that have ensured the uninterrupted delivery of services across all sectors, while continuously monitoring developments and responding to them promptly.
The Council highlighted that popular solidarity, national awareness, support for state institutions, and the prioritisation of national interests during this period collectively represent essential factors in strengthening the country's ability to confront the aggression and safeguard its national interests.
The Shura Council reiterated its strongest condemnation and denunciation of the Iranian aggression against Qatar, describing it as a flagrant violation of Qatar's sovereignty, a direct assault on its security, territorial integrity, and national interests, and a blatant breach of international law, the Charter of the United Nations, and established moral norms.
The Council stressed that the repeated Iranian attacks involving ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles endanger civilian populations and target vital state infrastructure, including facilities linked to water and food security.
It noted that 65% of these attacks have targeted civilian facilities and energy installations in Qatar.
The Council categorically rejected any justification for the Iranian attacks against Qatar, affirming that such actions cannot be accepted under any pretext.
It underscored that Qatar has been among the first countries to advocate dialogue with Iran and has exerted considerable efforts to facilitate such dialogue between Iran and the international community.
This, the Council stated, reflects Qatar's longstanding policy that disputes and conflicts should be resolved through peaceful means, mediation, and negotiations.
The Council expressed strong dismay at Iran's continued targeting of Qatar’s territory, stating that such actions reflect ill intent and treachery, contradict the principles of good neighbourliness, and undermine the foundations of understanding upon which bilateral relations between the two countries have been built over past decades.
It called on Iran to cease its aggression against Qatar, adopt the language of wisdom and reason, preserve regional security, and spare the peoples of the region from further risks.
The Shura Council welcomed the UN resolution issued last Wednesday condemning Iranian attacks on countries in the region, including Qatar, and calling for the immediate cessation of all such attacks, as well as an end to provocations or threats against neighbouring states, including through the use of proxies.
The Council stressed the necessity for the international community, as well as regional and international parliamentary unions and organisations, to assume their legal and moral responsibilities in halting what it described as the grave and ongoing violations of the sovereignty of Qatar and other countries in the region, and to work toward containing the crisis in a manner that preserves regional and global security.
The Council warned of the serious repercussions of Iranian attacks on regional and international security and stability.
It cited Iranian threats to maritime security and the movement of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, saying that such have had far-reaching consequences for global energy security, the stability of the international economy, and the sustainability of global supply chains, leading to what it described as the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market.
The Council also referred to a recent announcement by the World Food Programme warning that disruptions to supply chains threaten the food security of millions of people in the Middle East.
During the session, HE the Speaker al-Ghanim, on behalf of the Council, extended his congratulations and best wishes to His Highness the Amir on the approaching occasion of Eid al-Fitr, for continued health and well-being, and to return this blessed occasion to the people of Qatar and all residents with goodness, prosperity, and blessings, while preserving Qatar's security and stability.
Following this, His Excellency the Secretary-General of the Shura Council Nayef bin Mohammed al-Mahmoud read the session's agenda.
The Council then discussed the listed items and took the appropriate decisions regarding them.
