Dr Majed bin Mohammed al-Ansari, Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the upcoming 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly offers a timely opportunity to reaffirm global support for the Palestinian cause and the two-state solution, especially amid efforts spearheaded by Saudi Arabia and France.During the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ weekly press briefing Tuesday, Dr al- Ansari said Qatar has consistently committed to supporting multilateral action and strengthening the role of the United Nations in various international issues, stressing the importance of ensuring Palestinian presence in all international forums.He pointed out that there has been no response from the Israeli side to the ceasefire proposal in the Gaza Strip. He added what the Strip has witnessed in recent days has seen further escalation, particularly the dangerous step of occupying the densely populated Gaza City amid a rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation, resulting in hundreds of civilian casualties, including hostages whom the Israeli government claims to be seeking to release.He noted that any alternative proposal remains contingent on a genuine will to reach an agreement, indicating that there has been intensive contact with the US and regional and international parties, but that these have not yet yielded anything new.The spokesperson emphasised that the priority is to end the humanitarian crisis, warning against linking the humanitarian situation in Gaza to the issue of prisoner and hostage exchanges, describing this as unacceptable blackmail and a violation of international law. Dr al-Ansari also indicated that Qatar, as a mediator, possesses no leverage other than pushing for an agreement and relying on international pressure and position.He noted that Israel’s move to occupy Gaza City and its threats to annex the West Bank have been met with increasing international condemnation, given that a Palestinian state is a reality established by UN resolutions, and that the international community, except Israel, unanimously recognises its legitimacy.He highlighted that the international stance has become clearer in its support for the rights of the Palestinian people and the two-state solution, considering that recent Israeli measures have weakened its position internationally, a point recently acknowledged by the US president.Dr al-Ansari also revealed the existence of contacts to develop new proposals that could contribute to reaching an agreement, stressing Qatar’s openness to all realistic solutions, noting that the only official offer on the table is the plan previously announced and approved by Hamas.In another context, the spokesperson discussed Qatar’s ongoing mediation efforts on a number of international issues, including the humanitarian role related to reuniting children affected by the war in Ukraine and Russia with their families.He affirmed Qatar’s support for all efforts aimed at ending the war, including the upcoming summit between Russia and Ukraine. Regarding the Arab Foreign Ministers’ meeting scheduled for Cairo Thursday, Dr al-Ansari said regional issues, especially the situation in Gaza, will feature prominently, emphasising the importance of these meetings in coordinating Arab positions.At the outset of the briefing, Dr al-Ansari addressed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ key activities during the week, including the work of the sixth session of the Joint Higher Committee between Qatar and Egypt, where HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani met with Egyptian Prime Minister Dr Mostafa Madbouly.He also held a joint press conference with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Dr Badr Abdelatty. He also met with Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak and Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine Rustem Umerov.In a related context, HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad al- Muraikhi led Qatar’s delegation to the 165th session of the Ministerial Council of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) and the second Joint Ministerial Meeting of the Strategic Dialogue between the GCC countries and Japan.He met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan Iwaya Takeshi, and also with HE Deputy Minister and Government Representative for Korean Nationals Overseas Protection and Consular Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea Jung Ki-hong. He noted that HE Minister of State for International Cooperation Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser al-Misnad met with HE Executive Director of the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria Peter Sands.She also held phone calls with HE Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Caretaker Government of Afghanistan Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi and with HE Minister of Rural Rehabilitation and Development in the Caretaker Government of Afghanistan and Chairman of the Coordination Committee for Assistance to Earthquake Victims Mohammad Younus Akhundzada.Dr Majed bin Mohammed al-Ansari, also noted that HE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh al-Khulaifi received a phone call from HE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation of Sudan Omar Mohamed Ahmed Siddiq.He highlighted that HE the Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs participated Tuesday in the Bled Strategic Forum in Slovenia, where he delivered a speech at a high-level session and met with senior officials there.
