Qatar has voiced its strong condemnation of the explosion that targeted an election rally in the city of Peshawar in Pakistan, causing deaths and injuries. Qatar also condemned the attack targeting the urban education directorate in the Afghan city of Jalalabad, which left a number of people dead. In a statement yesterday the Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed Qatar’s full solidarity with the Afghan government in all measures taken to maintain security and stability. Earlier, Qatar expressed its strong condemnation of an attack that targeted a checkpoint in Iraq’s Kirkuk which caused a number of deaths. In separate statements issued yesterday, the ministry reiterated Qatar’s firm stance rejecting violence and terrorism regardless of the motives and causes.

Committee for peace in 
Darfur meets in Doha

The 13th meeting for the committee on following up the implementation of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) kicked off yesterday, under the chairmanship of ambassador Dr Mutlaq bin Majed al-Qahtani, the minister of foreign affairs’ special envoy for counterterrorism and mediation of conflict resolution. In his opening speech the ambassador said the DDPD which was finalised at the All Darfur Stakeholders Conference in May 2011, has received full support from the international community represented by the United Nations, African Union, Arab League, Organisation of Islamic Co-operation and European Union. In compliance with the DDPD, the Sudanese government signed agreements with a number of movements in Darfur, in addition to several relevant declarations and protocols. Page 5

Qatar welcomes move
on Crescent oil region

Qatar welcomed yesterday the return of the Crescent oil region to the management of the National Oil Corp (NOC) of the Libyan National Accord Government. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement yesterday that the move came in solidarity with the efforts of the international community, which unanimously agreed on the need to respect the legitimate institutions authorised to manage the Crescent. The statement reiterated Qatar’s support for the Libyan people and the affirmation of their right to own and invest their country’s wealth according to their interests and the interests of future generations.