Brussels - Information Office – 06 April 2017
HE Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani demanded that the perpetrators of the brutal massacre in the Syrian town of Khan Sheikhoun be held to account, while calling for the activation of the mechanism adopted by the UN General Assembly to hold accountable the perpetrators of such massacres.
There is a need to activate this mechanism as soon as possible so that the perpetrators of these crimes will not go unpunished, His Excellency stressed, adding that he called for the implementation of this mechanism during the International Conference on Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region in Brussels.
In an exclusive statement to Al Jazeera channel on the sidelines of the conference in Brussels, HE the Foreign Minister condemned this massacre, terming it a terrible message from the Syrian regime.
His Excellency also expressed his regret over the failure of Foah accord, which he considered a purely humanitarian agreement that has nothing to do with the negotiations or the political process in Geneva or Astana. He described the situation in the towns of Kafria, Foah, Madaya and Zabadani as tragic, putting the blame on the Syrian region's policies of starvation and siege.
He pointed out that the Foah accord includes the opening of humanitarian corridors and the voluntary departure of those who want as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid in addition to the release of detainees in the regime's prisons.
HE the Minister affirmed Qatar's rejection of any demographic change in Syria, especially what took place recently in Al-Waar district in Homs city, in the east of Aleppo, or in Darya town, stressing the need to maintain a unified Syria.
It is worth noting that the State of Qatar is co-chairing the Conference on Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region in Brussels. The Conference will address three aspects. It will assess where the international community stands collectively in fulfilling commitments made at the Supporting Syria and the Region conference in London, support intra-Syrian talks, and reconfirm existing pledges and encourage additional support to people in need inside Syria and in neighboring countries.