New York – Information Office – 25 January

The State of Qatar has underlined that the continuation of the blockade and unilateral measures against it have grave consequences on the regional and international peace and security and exacerbate the current instability in the region and reflect negatively on the international campaign against terrorism.

This came in a statement delivered by the Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations HE Ambassador Sheikha Alia Ahmed bin Saif Al -Thani at the United Nations Security Council open debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.

HE Ambassador Sheikha Alia said that instead of responding to the efforts made by brotherly and friendly countries to reach a solution that satisfies all parties through dialogue based on the Charter of the United Nations and international law and the basis of friendly relations between countries, the recent period witnessed an escalation represented by air violations in a series of provocations against the State of Qatar, in violation of the provisions of the Charter and international law.

In line with Qatar's commitments under international law as a member of the United Nations, we have followed the procedures required by the Charter to inform the United Nations Secretariat General, and the Security Council in accordance with Article 35 of the Charter, HE Sheikha Alia added.

She noted that at the same time, while reaffirming its commitment to the adoption of a dialogue to settle disputes and respect good-neighborly relations, the State of Qatar firmly rejects any violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity and reserves the legitimate right guaranteed by international law and the Charter of the United Nations to defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security. The State of Qatar also reiterates its commitment to the mediation of HH Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Emir of the State of Kuwait, and its appreciation to the countries that supported this mediation in order to resolve this crisis, she said.

HE Ambassador Sheikha Alia Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani said that the State of Qatar will continue its active and positive contribution in supporting efforts aimed at achieving peace in the Middle East and in achieving the objectives of the Security Council in the maintaining the international peace and security.

Her Excellency noted that the Middle East placed grave and complex threats to international peace and security on the Security Council table, including the decades-old threats, including the emerging ones. All these challenges need to intensify cooperation between the countries of the region and the international community in general to resolve crises, by eradicating their causes and addressing their obstacles in a sustainable manner.

The State of Qatar has no doubt that the settlement of the Palestinian issue and the achievement of peace would be in the interest of the Palestinians and the Israelis and would reap the fruits of the region and the world would reap its fruits, she said, adding that the State of Qatar reiterates its support for all efforts to resume the peace process in a way that leads to a just, comprehensive and sustainable solution by the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.

She pointed out that respect for the legal status of Al-Quds Al-Sharif is of particular importance in the context of the cause of peace, as affirmed by Security Council resolutions and all initiatives aimed at achieving peace in the Middle East.

"Our concern for the importance of achieving peace requires emphasizing the need to deal with the issue of Jerusalem as a key part of the comprehensive and final solution to the Middle East issue, in accordance with the resolutions of the Security Council, including Security Council resolution 478 and the recent General Assembly resolution on the status of Jerusalem, However, the issue of Jerusalem is one of the final status issues that must be decided through negotiations between the parties and not to recognize any measures aimed at changing the character, legal status or demographic composition of Al-Quds Al-Sharif. ", HE Sheikha Alia noted.

She reiterated that the dangers of the Syrian crisis on regional and international security and its unprecedented humanitarian consequences necessitate intensifying efforts to reach a political solution based on the 2012 Geneva Statement and the relevant Security Council resolutions in a way that meets the legitimate aspirations of the brotherly Syrian people in security and stability and preserve Syria's national and regional unity.

HE Sheikha Alia highlighted Qatar's efforts to eradicate terrorism in Syria, put an end to violence and escalation and achieve calm in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and international law, and to continue working with international partners to provide humanitarian support to brethren in Syria.