Qatar has expressed its total rejection of any measures calling for the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, stressing the special importance of Jerusalem to all Arabs and Muslims.

It added that the legal and historical situation in Jerusalem must be respected and any repercussions that cannot be contained must be avoided.

Qatar has also warned of the serious consequences for security and stability in the Middle East as a result of such actions, which are totally contrary to international law and international resolutions and against any serious efforts to achieve peace on the basis of the two-state solution.

This came in a statement delivered by HE the Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations Ambassador Sheikha Alia Ahmed bin Saif al-Thani at a meeting held by the United Nations General Assembly on Friday on "a Culture of Peace".

"Since we are discussing today the culture of peace item and we are in the midst of developments in the Middle East, achieving peace requires us to emphasise the importance of avoiding any actions that contradict this lofty goal, namely the sustainable peace that the world needs today more than ever before..

"With regard to the Middle East and without resolving the Palestinian issue, peace in the Middle East will remain an elusive goal," she said.

She added that international efforts to promote a culture of peace, dialogue, understanding and cooperation between religions and cultures reflect the resolve and determination of the international community to confront all difficulties and obstacles to the achievement of international peace and security, especially in light of the increasing conflicts and crises in the world.

"Accordingly, finding a conducive environment and enabling factors to building and consolidating peace is one of the most important pillars that we, as an international community, must give due attention to by respecting and realising the legitimate rights of peoples, safeguarding their dignity and providing the requirements for sustainable development."

"Based on our policy derived from our communal, religious and civilizational heritage, the State of Qatar has adopted a policy of moderation, tolerance and acceptance of cultural, civilizational and religious differences among peoples. My country also plays an active and responsible role in the international community that contributes to the establishment and strengthening of international peace and security," she said.

In the belief of the State of Qatar that it is important to achieve the sixteenth goal of the Sustainable Development Plan and to support the efforts of the United Nations in this regard, it has played a leading role in cooperation with Member States and United Nations bodies in establishing the Global Alliance for Reporting SDG 16, which seeks to promote justice, peaceful and inclusive societies, she said, pointing out that in the light of the role played by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations to promote a culture of peace, dialogue and understanding between cultures and religions, the State of Qatar has been at the forefront of countries that have supported the Alliance and continue to support it in all its forms.

In the context of the commitment to realising the Qatar National Vision 2030, which seeks to promote cultural exchange with the peoples, Qatar has worked to establish institutions to spread the culture of peace, dialogue between cultures, acceptance of differences, and to fight extremism and violence, she said, adding that this includes Arab Cultural House, which was inaugurated by HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani and German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel in Berlin last month.

The House aims to deepen co-operation between the Arab and German cultures, she said.

HE Sheikha Alia said that Qatar views peace in a more holistic manner, adding peace in the eyes of Qatari diplomacy is not just the absence of violence but permanent peace based on compromise and justice.

Qatar has therefore given great importance to participating in international efforts to support the role of mediation and preventive diplomacy, which is a fundamental pillar of the Secretary-General's plan, she said, pointing out that Qatar will host regional consultations on the sustainability of peace for the Middle East and some Islamic countries from 18-19 January 2018 in preparation for the high-level meeting of the General Assembly next April on the sustainability of peace.

This is in line with Qatar's policy of conflict prevention, she said, stressing that Qatar's efforts in this context have achieved positive results that satisfy all parties concerned, and have contributed to the strengthening of international peace and security and have been welcomed by the international community.

HE Sheikha Alia Ahmed bin Saif al-Thani reiterated Qatar's commitment to continue implementing the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace and to support all efforts at the national, regional and international levels to promote a culture of peace and non-violence and to promote preventive diplomacy, thereby giving benefit to all humanity.

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