Qatar has renewed calls to settle the crisis with the blockading countries peacefully through constructive and unconditional dialogue.

Qatar's Permanent Representative to the UN, HE Ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif al-Thani, said the talks must preserves the sovereignty of the states within the framework of the United Nations Charter, international law and the principles of friendly relations between countries.

She also affirmed Qatar's keenness to defuse the crisis and achieve international peace and security.

Sheikha Alya was speaking at the regular meeting of the UN Security Council on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.

She said Qatar remains committed to its principled positions in light of the ongoing unjust blockade and unilateral unlawful measures it has been subjected to for more than two-and-a-half years, which is a flagrant violation of the provisions of the UN Charter and international law, and contributes to undermining regional and international peace and security.

The ambassador referred to campaigns of misinformation and incitement that Qatar is exposed to by the blockading countries, which reflects the desperate and failed attempts by them to undermine the State.

She said Qatar remains committed to mediation and renewed appreciation of the sincere efforts made by Kuwaiti Amir Kuwait Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah.

On the Palestinian issue, the ambassador said that the Israeli occupation, illegal settlement and repressive Israeli practices against the brotherly Palestinian people were all against international conventions and norms.

She stressed that settling the Palestinian issue requires ending the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian and Arab lands, including the occupied Syrian Golan and Lebanese territories, and stopping settlement in the occupied land.

Sheikha Alya called for lifting the siege on the Gaza Strip, stopping illegal practices against the Palestinian territories, returning refugees, and stopping all practices that threaten the two-state solution, that includes the establishment of an independent and viable state of Palestine on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

On the Gaza Strip, the ambassador stated that Qatar has endeavoured to fulfill its role at various levels in order to create an appropriate environment for a lasting and comprehensive peace.

She drew attention to the importance of addressing the deteriorating humanitarian situation, especially in the Gaza Strip, noting the support provided by Qatar to strengthening the budget of the Palestinian Authority and providing humanitarian needs.

She also referred Qatar's grant, which contributed to making a significant difference in providing electricity to Gaza and providing support to the temporary employment programmes of the UN and other areas of importance to improve the living conditions of the Palestinians.

Referring to the situation in Syria, Qatar envoy to the UN said the time has come for the brotherly Syrian people to obtain their legitimate demands for security, peace and a decent life and to preserve the unity, sovereignty and independence of their country.

She said the political solution to the crisis should be in accordance with the Geneva Declaration and Security Council Resolution 2254, calling for the necessity of ensuring the activation of the Constitutional Committee as a step on the right path.

Qatar will continue to support efforts to remove obstacles to achieving peace and a political solution based on international and legal references, she said.

On the Libyan issue, the ambassador called on all actors to assume their responsibility, respect the will of the brotherly Libyan people for a peaceful solution and support efforts to stop violence, achieve national consensus and implement Security Council resolutions, and expressed Qatar's full support for the efforts of Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya, Ghassan Salame.

Regarding the situation in Yemen, she that the Yemeni people deserve an end to the conflict and suffering, and called on the parties to engage in a dialogue aimed at achieving a political solution and national reconciliation.

She reiterated Qatar's support to the efforts of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General, stressing the need to adhere to international laws and protect human rights, and the need to secure the basic needs of all Yemenis and facilitate the arrival of humanitarian assistance.

On Iraq, Sheikha Alya said Qatar was closely watching the events and called for concerted efforts to find a solution.

She noted Qatar's firm stance which calls for the importance of activating preventive diplomacy and adopting peaceful methods to resolve disputes and conflicts through dialogue and mediation.

Qatar's stance remains consistent in emphasising the need to adhere to international law and the principles of friendly international relations, she added.

Sheikha Alya said the Middle East is in need, more than ever before, to put an end to all tensions,and called on the Security Council to assume its responsibility in taking the necessary measures to stop all violations of international law and end crises in order for the region to become a safe place.


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