In regard to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) being subjected to direct and repeated attacks by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF), HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the UN Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani pointed out that, as a troop-contributing country to UNIFIL, the State of Qatar joined the statement condemning the attacks on a mission mandated by the UN Security Council (UNSC), which constitutes a violation of obligations under the Charter and international law, and a threat to UNIFIL’s vital role in maintaining stability.
Her Excellency said that destroying the livelihood of an entire people cannot achieve peace and security for anyone, pointing out the broad international awareness, expressed by the resolutions of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) and the UNSC, that suggests that achieving security requires a just, lasting and comprehensive peace, and that the only settlement to the Palestinian cause is the two-state solution, which includes the establishment
of an independent Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital on the 1967 borders, in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative. This settlement embodies the right of self-determination for the brotherly Palestinian people, Her Excellency added, stressing that time has come to recognize the State of Palestine and grant it full membership in the UN, given that its conditions were met.
HE Permanent Representative of Qatar to UN emphasized that the Security Council’s responsibility is to push for this sustainable solution for the Palestinian cause, pointing out that the first step should be to prevent further escalation and demand an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, as well as to stop the attacks of the IOF and settlers in the West Bank and confront any attempts to exploit the current situation to expand settlement in the occupied Palestinian territories or to undermine the status quo in the religious holy sites in Occupied Jerusalem (Al-Quds),
in addition to sending a clear message of support for the UN and its bodies, including the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and its peacekeeping missions.
Her Excellency highlighted the tireless efforts made by the State of Qatar over the course of a year, alongside the Arab Republic of Egypt and the US, aimed at reaching a ceasefire deal, releasing prisoners and detainees, and delivering sufficient aid to those in need, thus paving the way for serious negotiations leading to a sustainable solution.
In this regard, she pointed out that these efforts led to a truce agreement in November 2023, indicating that, despite the obstacles hindering mediation, the State of Qatar continues its efforts to resume negotiations to stop the war on Gaza and reach a comprehensive ceasefire.
HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the UN Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani concluded her speech at the meeting by saying that UNSC has the necessary tools under
the Charter to prevent the continuation of this unacceptable situation and to ensure the implementation of its resolutions, stressing the State of Qatar’s call on all members of the council to assume this major responsibility at this alarming time that the region and its peoples are going through.
Source: Qatar News Agency