HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani on Wednesday reiterated Qatar's rejection of any defamation of its role in the ongoing mediation efforts to end the war in Gaza. He also indicated that Qatar is assessing its role in the mediation.During a joint press conference Wednesday with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkiye Hakan Fidan, HE Sheikh Mohammed said that negotiations for a ceasefire and the release of prisoners and hostages are at a sensitive and critical stage, and that the State of Qatar has been working since day one of the war to stop it and to release the hostages. He added that the State of Qatar has witnessed the mediation being used for narrow political interests, adding that this in turn has necessitated a comprehensive evaluation by Qatar of its role.HE Sheikh Mohammed added that Qatar engaged in the mediation process out of humanitarian, national, and patriotic considerations to protect the Palestinians. He however lamented the political exploitation by some politicians with narrow interests, marketing their electoral campaigns by defaming the role of Qatar.HE heikh Mohammed added that such statements made behind closed doors are unacceptable and damaging as they do not contribute to anything positive. He stressed the State of Qatar's commitment to its role on humanitarian grounds, but noted that there are limitations to this role and the impact it can make, noting that Qatar will take the appropriate decision at the right time regarding this.HE Sheikh Mohammed said during the press conference that the during the meeting with Fidan they discussed strategic partnership and bilateral relations between the two countries, confirming that this visit is part of continuous coordination between the two sides on regional and international issues, as it comes amidst escalating tensions and sensitive conditions in the region.He added that the visit provided an opportunity for detailed consultations on regional escalation, emphasising the need for parties to resort to de-escalation, reason, dialogue, and logical resolution of issues rather than resorting to the language of arms and violence.HE Sheikh Mohammed said that Qatar has conducted intensive communications recently with all parties to try to contain the escalation, noting that coordination between Qatar and Turkiye is ongoing and continuous, expressing appreciation for the positions adopted by the sisterly Republic of Turkiye, especially in supporting the Palestinian brothers.HE Sheikh Mohammed added that he discussed with the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs the latest developments of the war in Gaza, the deteriorating humanitarian crisis, and the ongoing Israeli actions and assaults against the Palestinians in the West Bank.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani discussed with his brother Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud bilateral relations and ways to strengthen them, in addition to regional and international developments, particularly the situation in the Gaza Strip and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.This came during a phone call His Highness the Amir held with the crown prince.The two sides underscored the significance of de-escalation and avoiding the spillover of the conflict in the region, stressing the importance of ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the Occupied Palestinian Territories to achieve a lasting and durable solution for the Palestinian cause, in pursuit of achieving enduring and comprehensive peace in the region.

The Hamad International Airport has again secured its position as the ‘World’s Best Airport’ by the prestigious 2024 Skytrax World Airport Awards held at the Passenger Terminal Expo 2024 in Frankfurt.The airport also clinched the title of ‘World’s Best Airport Shopping’ for the second time in a row and ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’ for the tenth consecutive year.HIA's recognition is based on “meticulous assessments” conducted by air travellers, it said in a statement. They evaluated the airport's performance across key performance indicators and selected it as the best in the world amongst a group of over 500 global airport contenders.Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Badr Mohamed al-Meer, who spearheaded the development and growth of HIA over the past decade, said: “This is a remarkable achievement for Hamad International Airport, as it celebrates its 10th anniversary of operational excellence, connecting passengers seamlessly from all around the world.“It is a testament to the dedication of our team and partners, who have contributed to providing passengers with the finest travel experience. Our continuous investment in our facilities and pioneering initiatives in retail and hospitality within a single expansive terminal has made this achievement possible.”He emphasised the importance of understanding passengers' needs and evolving travel trends: “At the heart of our growth strategy lies the passengers’ journey, their evolving needs, and our commitment to meeting and exceeding their expectations. We have introduced a diverse range of experiences at the airport, including ‘Souq Al Matar’, which brings Qatari hospitality and culture closer to travellers; and ‘Orchard’, the ideal place for relaxation and rejuvenation between flights and an array of high-end lounges. We remain dedicated to pushing the boundaries of the industry to maintain our position as the world’s premier airport.”HIA achieved a significant milestone in 2023, witnessing an exceptional surge in passenger traffic. Serving over 45mn passengers, the airport experienced a remarkable 31% increase compared to the previous year, surpassing the momentum established during the historic FIFA World Cup.The airport also welcomed new airline partners including Vistara, Iberia, Xiamen Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, and Japan Airlines, and serves over 250 destinations, including passenger, cargo, and chartered flights.As HIA approaches its milestone 10th year of operations, it anticipates a bustling 2024.Plans include welcoming new airline partners, enhancing connectivity, and supporting Qatar's endeavours to host various global events.Committed to the Qatar National Vision 2030, HIA aims to enhance sustainability efforts through investments in new technologies and pioneering industry-first initiatives, further solidifying its position as a leader in the aviation industry.