Qatari Newspapers Editorials

Doha, October 20 (QNA) - In their editorials on Thursday, Qatari newspapers highlighted a number of topics, whether on the local or Arab level. The newspapers highlighted the two phone calls held by HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani with HE President of the Republic of Iraq Dr. Abdul Latif Rashid, and HE Prime Minister-designate of Iraq Mohammed Shia Al Sudani, during which HH the Amir congratulated Dr. Abdul Latif Rashid on his election as President of the Republic of Iraq, wishing His Excellency success and the Iraqi people further progress and prosperity. HH also congratulated Al Sudani on his assignment as the head of the next Iraqi government, wishing him success in his role. The newspapers also hailed the Cabinet's decision issued Wednesday, easing restrictions on wearing masks, enabling people to lead their normal lives, especially as the country is about to host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which will allow everyone to enjoy this tournament and various events. On the Arab arena, the newspapers highlighted the Australian government’s decision to confirm its commitment to the two-state solution, which reflects a return to the international consensus and commitment to the resolutions of international legitimacy, which considers Jerusalem as one of the final status issues that must be resolved as part of any peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, noting that this is positive stance that is consistent with international law and with the efforts aimed at achieving a just and comprehensive peace. Al-Raya newspaper stressed that the Qatari-Iraqi relations are rooted in history and have always been a role model, especially in critical moments in the history of the Arab nation. It made clear that the State of Qatar always calls for ensuring the security and stability of Iraq which is an active actor in its Arab and Islamic surroundings, noting that Qatar welcomed the new political developments in Iraq at the official and popular levels, as evidenced by the two phone conversations HH the Amir held with HE President of Iraq and HE the Prime Minister-designate of Iraq. During the two phone calls, they reviewed the brotherly relations between the two brotherly countries and ways to strengthen and develop them, in addition to a number of issues of common interest, based on Qatar's keenness on the interest of Iraq and the continuation of security and stability for the brotherly people. The newspaper underlined the State of Qatar's support for Iraq in the historical stages it went through, and its keenness on its unity, security and stability, adding that Qatar is always keen to call on the Iraqi components to resolve differences through political dialogue and peaceful means, in order to achieve the aspirations of the brotherly Iraqi people for stability and prosperity. The paper said that Iraq, which has suffered from terrorism, bloody events and intractable political crises, deserves everyone's support in these critical conditions by supporting its stability and calling all Iraqi parties to adopt constructive dialogue as a path towards reaching lasting and sustainable solutions that will benefit all. The newspaper pointed out that the great Iraqi people, who stood steadfast against terrorism and criminality and believed in their right to live in dignity under the law and justice. Al-Raya also said that the development of Qatari-Iraqi relations would reflect positively on achieving cooperation and the common interests of the two brotherly peoples, as the security and stability of Iraq is part of the security and stability of Qatar. In turn, Al-Watan newspaper said that the Cabinet, at its regular meeting held at its seat at the Amiri Diwan on Wednesday, chaired by HE Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani reviewed the report made by the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) regarding the latest developments related to COVID-19 and decided to amend its decision issued in its regular meeting (31) for 2022 convened on 31/8/2022 regarding wearing facemasks to be as follows; citizens, residents, and visitors are obliged to wear facemasks while visiting health facilities only. The decision stating that all employees and workers whose jobs require being in closed offices and communicating with clients must wear face masks during their work hours remains active. This decision will enter into force as of Sunday. The paper pointed out that the importance of the decision lies in the fact that it allows everyone to lead their normal lives, especially since the country is about to host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which will allow everyone to enjoy this tournament and the various events accompanying it easily. In conclusion, Al-Watan referred to the Cabinet's approval of a draft law regarding dividing the estate law and referring it to the Shura Council. The draft law was prepared to speed up the procedures for distributing the estate among heirs according to their legal shares to avoid negative impacts of related delay, the paper said, stressing that the decision is very important and reflects the keenness of the wise leadership to take into account the public interest in every possible way. On the Arab issue, Al-Sharq newspaper noted in its editorial the decision of the Australian government to affirm its commitment to the two-state solution and cancel the recognition of West Jerusalem as the capital of the Israeli entity, a decision taken by the previous government headed by Scott Morrison in December 2018. The paper affirmed that the decision reflects a return to the truth, international consensus, and commitment to resolutions of international legitimacy, which considers Jerusalem one of the final status issues that must be resolved as part of any peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, a positive stance consistent with international law and with efforts aimed at achieving a just and comprehensive peace. The newspaper said that the Australian decision, which corrects its previous position, came as a step that would support international and regional efforts aimed at reviving the peace process and negotiations between the Palestinian and Israeli sides to achieve a just, comprehensive, and sustainable peace. It is also an expression of Australia’s keenness to achieve security and stability in the conflict arena and the region by restoring the political horizon to resolve the conflict. This decision may encourage other countries, which have previously recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel or moved their embassies to the occupied city since 1967, to follow Australia as an example, retract their decisions and return to abiding by international law by issuing new resolutions that are consistent with international consensus and resolutions of international legitimacy. Perhaps, the Palestinian people and peoples who support their legitimate rights are looking forward to more positive steps from all countries by recognizing the State of Palestine and its capital, the city of Jerusalem, in support and respect for the values of truth, justice, and freedom, the paper added. Al-Sharq concluded its editorial by saying that the wide welcome for the decision at the Palestinian, Arab, and Islamic levels is an affirmation of the firm position on the justice of the Palestinian cause, the legitimate rights of the brotherly Palestinian people, and the establishment of their independent state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. For its part, the English-language newspaper, The Peninsula, affirmed Thursday that the State of Qatar has been a vocal supporter of Palestinian people’s right to live in peace in their independent state on the basis of 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. Doha has also been an active participant in the regional and global efforts to put an end to violence and Israeli aggression against Palestinians, it added. The newspaper highlighted in its editorial, under the title "A welcome step", the State of Qatar's welcome to Australia's decision to reverse the previous government’s recognition of West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Doha said the move would support international efforts aimed at achieving a just, comprehensive, and sustainable peace. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed Qatar’s aspiration for similar decisions by other states that recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in line with the international consensus and resolutions of international legitimacy, the paper added. Doha has also been contributing to humanitarian efforts to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians, the paper said, adding that Qatar has strengthened its support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), including its educational programme, and the Qatar Fund for Development continues to provide support to the agency, which contributes to enhancing its capacity to provide life-saving health and education services for Palestinian refugees. The Peninsula concluded its editorial by noting that 2022 has been one of the deadliest years for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank with almost daily raids by Israeli forces leading to violent confrontations between Palestinians and Israeli troops, who have killed around 100 Palestinians so far this year. (QNA)