Qatar Says Arab Nation is Going Through Historic Juncture

Kuwait, March 23 (QNA) - The State of Qatar has confirmed that the Arab nation is going through a historic juncture in which responsibilities are growing and threats are multiplying, describing the challenges facing everyone as urgent and serious and their impact on the Arab world today and tomorrow cannot be underestimated. This came in a speech delivered by HE the Foreign Minister Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Attiyah before the preparatory ministerial meeting of the 25th Arab summit, due to be hosted by Kuwait on Tuesday . The State of Qatar expressed confidence that the determination of the Arab nation to deal with the current problems of and future challenges will enable them face these challenges through the effective and constructive Arab solidarity and integration to address problems and eliminate hazards, pointing in this regard to the Arab nation's available potential that provides this capability. Without this the Arab nation will not have the aspired position in the international order, Dr. Al-Attiyah said. On the Palestinian issue, Dr. Al-Attiyah said response to the aspirations of the Palestinian people for freedom and independence are necessary to confirm the fairness of international legality and for activating the role of the international community in resolving regional an international conflicts. "We are all aware that the stalled peace negotiations were due to the intransigent positions of the Israeli government, its violation of the resolutions of the international legitimacy and the international law, implosion of the fait accompli and the intensification of settlements , especially in Jerusalem," the Foreign Minister said warning that such practices put the entire region on the edge of danger. In this context , he stressed that peace, security and stability in the Middle East will only be achieved after finding a just and lasting solution that fulfills the full legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, primarily the establishment of their independent state with Jerusalem as its capital . In this respect, the Foreign Minister called on Israel to abide by the requirements of the peace process and to halt its illegal practices, assault on the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Islamic and Christian sanctities, the Judaization of East Jerusalem and the continuation of the settlement policy which reached its peak and gravity by the most recent decisions taken by the Israeli government . Dr. Al-Attiyah went on saying: " In this context, time has come for a real Palestinian reconciliation. We must double our efforts for collective action to end the inter-Palestinian differences and support the unity of the Palestinian people's factions on the foundations that ensure the provision of the steadfastness of the Palestinian people and the restoration of their rights ." HE Dr. Khalid bin Mohamed Al-Attiyah after three years of continuing destruction and killing of our brothers in Syria and the continuing humanitarian disaster, the increasing suffering of the Syrian people inside Syria and the high numbers of refugees and displaced people, the situation has become more complicated, calling in this respect to the need for intensified and concerted efforts and work with the international community to end this tragedy through the use of all means of the international legality. He said the combined efforts of everyone in shouldering the responsibilities towards the present and future of Syria, would bring about the aspired change for the brotherly Syrian people. In this regard, HE the Foreign Minister, reiterated the State of Qatar's full and unreserved support for all that would salvage Syria from this painful ordeal, achieve security and stability in that country, avert foreign intervention in its internal affairs, maintain the unity of the Syrian territory and people and support Arab and international efforts aimed to achieve the will of the Syrian people and their legitimate aspirations. In the same context, Dr. Al-Attiyah said "we all have to provide forms of material and political support, maintain firm solidarity with the Syrian people, strengthen the capacity of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces and work actively to stop the killings and displacement of the innocent Syrian people." He also called for using all means to urge the Security Council to should its legal and ethical responsibilities in accordance with the available mechanisms under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter and issue a binding resolution to impose a cease-fire, considering it the only way to end the acts of killings and destruction perpetrated by the Syrian regime against the Syrians and to begin a political transition process in Syria, through which the Syrian people could enjoy freedom and dignity. "We reiterate today that we, in the State of Qatar, support a political solution that protects the lives, and we also reiterate our commitment to continuing the provision of humanitarian aid to the Syrian people." On developments taking place in the Arab region, Dr. Al-Attiyah said the transitional stages experienced by some Arab countries require serious national dialogue on various levels and the favouring of national interests as a prelude to the stability, because the state of chaos, terrorism and instability is inconsistent with national and Arab interests. Referring to the presidency of the Arab Summit, Dr. Al-Attiyah said, "While handing over the presidency of the Arab summit and subsequently the presidency of the Arab Ministerial Committee on the Situation in Syria, and the Ministerial Committee of the Arab Peace Initiative from the State of Qatar to the State of Kuwait at the 25th Ordinary Arab Summit, we are confident that the presidency will be effective to serve the causes of our Arab peoples and to promote joint Arab action and move it toward broader horizons. " HE the Foreign Minister prayed the Almighty Allah that the Arab summit would achieve the objectives of Arab peoples and reach a unified Arab vision towards the Arab Nation's issues and problems. Concluding, Dr. Al-Attiyah invited Kuwait's First Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al Khalid Al Sabah to take over the presidency, wishing him every success. HE the Foreign Minister started his speech by expressing deep gratitude and appreciation to Kuwait's Emir, government and people for the outstanding preparation for the Arab summit and the warm reception and hospitality. He also expressed thanks to the Arab League Secretary-General and the General Secretariat for the efforts they had exerted during the Presidency of the State of Qatar of the 24th Ordinary Arab summit, especially in the area of follow-up and coordination for the implementation of the summit's resolutions.(QNA)