Arab League: Abduction of Qataris in Iraq ‘act of terrorism’

Iraq and Qatar have disagreed over a draft resolution regarding Qatari citizens who have been kidnapped in Iraq, a diplomatic source at the Arab League has said.

The source pointed out that the Permanent Representative of Qatar, Saif bin Muqaddam Al-Buainain presented the draft resolution regarding the kidnapped Qatari citizens which was rejected by the Iraqi representative, Habib Al-Sadr.

The draft resolution “condemns the kidnapping of the innocent Qatari nationals who entered Iraq legitimately and legally while carrying valid visas and were kidnapped while on a land that is under the sovereignty and security control of the Iraqi government.”

The draft resolution calls on the Iraqi government “to stand by its legal and international responsibility and to take all crucial and immediate actions to ensure the Qataris’ safety and their release and to bring the perpetrators of this act of terrorism to justice.”

The source added that despite the Iraqi protest, the draft resolution was passed and was submit to the meeting of the Arab League Council at the level of foreign ministers.

He pointed out that this is the first time since the crisis began two years ago that the issue is being dealt with through a draft resolution.