Qatar Committed to Iraq's Unity, HE Foreign Minister Says

Qatar Committed to Iraq's Unity, HE Foreign Minister Says

Baghdad/Information Office/ 29 May 2015/ HE Foreign Minister Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah stressed Friday on Qatar's commitment to ending violence in Iraq while maintaining the country's unity. In a joint press conference held with Iraqi counterpart, Ibrahim Al Jaafari, HE Al Attiyah said himself and Iraqi Foreign Minister held a series of meeting reviewing bilateral relations and discussing the means to enhance them. They discussed re-initiating the work of Qatar's embassy in Baghdad as well as the latest regional and international developments, HE the Foreign Minister added. On the visit, HE the Foreign Minister said it reflected the State of Qatar's keenness on the security and unity of Iraq. His Excellency then expressed Qatar's confidence in the Iraqi authorities' ability to end the violence taking over the country. His Excellency added that Qatar asked the authorities in Iraq to forget their different ethnicities and work together to unite all Iraqis and end terrorism. On terrorism, HE Al-Attiyah said that the international community was facing it everywhere and as a result everyone must work on exterminating it from its roots. His Excellency added that Qatar believes national reconciliation would lead to a qualitative leap in facing terrorism. His Excellency then noted that not having a real national reconciliation in Iraq could have grave consequences on the country. HE the Qatari Foreign Minister stressed on the country's position which condemns terrorism in all its forms. On winning the right to host World Cup 2022, HE the Foreign Minister said that the World Cup which will take place in Qatar in 2022 is something that will benefit the entire Arab World and its youth. His Excellency highlighted some of the racist motives behind some of the press against Qatar. His Excellency added that if the same journalists put the effort in unraveling the crimes in Syria, the country would have found a solution to the crisis that would have ended the rule of the current Syrian administration. On whether Al Jazeera television network reflected the policies of Qatar, HE the Foreign Minister said that his country enjoys media freedom. HE Al Attiyah then added that Qatar looks to interact with other governments through the official means, and not using a television network. On the efforts of the Arab coalition to back the legitimate power in Yemen, His Excellency stressed that what the GCC did in Yemen was not an interference in the country's affairs because it was in response to the request made by the Yemeni administration. It was also in accordance with article 51 of the United Nations charter.