Qatar Emir addresses regional issues in UN speech, slams international inaction in Palestine

The Emir of Qatar has said that it is “unacceptable for the Palestinian people to remain prisoners of the arbitrariness of the Israeli settler occupation, and the rejection of any just political solution in accordance with the principles of international legitimacy by successive Israeli governments.” Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani made his comment as he addressed regional issues during his speech at the 78th UN General Assembly in New York yesterday.

“You have to bear in mind that the failure of the international organisation to take actions against the occupation provided and continues to provide the opportunity for Israel to undermine the foundations of the two-state solution by means of settlement expansion until the occupation has brazenly taken the form of an apartheid regime in broad daylight in the twenty-first century,” said Sheikh Tamim.

The Qatari head of state added that his country provides political, humanitarian and development support to the Palestinian people, and contributes to the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip suffering under siege. Moreover, Qatar continues to donate to UNRWA, and maintains a principled position on the justice of this issue.

Turning to the situation in Lebanon, the emir stressed the need for a sustainable solution to the political vacuum. “A government must be formed that is capable of addressing the aspirations of the Lebanese people and getting them out of their economic and developmental crises.”

Sheikh Tamim then looked at the “gross injustice” that has befallen the people of Syria. “This cannot be condoned. The crisis is still awaiting a comprehensive settlement through a political process leading to a political transition, in accordance with the Geneva Declaration-1 and the Security Council Resolution 2254, in a way that meets the Syrian people’s aspirations while maintaining Syria’s integrity, sovereignty and independence.”

Furthermore, added the emir, Qatar gives “unwavering support” for the efforts of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, the Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya, and his efforts to achieve “tangible results” to resolve the Libyan crisis. Libya has been in turmoil ever since the revolution and NATO intervention brought about the fall and death of former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

Similarly, the Qatari leader called for the crisis in Yemen to be resolved based on “the resolutions of the National Dialogue, the Gulf Initiative, and the relevant Security Council resolutions.”

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He also noted the need to “combat racism and incitement campaigns against entire peoples, religions and civilisations.” He referred specifically to the burning of copies of the Holy Qur’an in a number of Western countries, and the statements of European politicians against Muslims. The emir suggested that it is “implausible” for Muslims to get distracted by an “idiot or a biased person” who tries to provoke the Muslim world with such acts.

The path to resolve conflicts through peaceful means is long and strenuous, but it is less costly than wars

Welcoming the “constructive dialogue” and re-establishment of ties between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as between Egypt and Turkiye, Sheikh Tamim emphasised the importance of resolving conflicts peacefully. “The path to resolve conflicts through peaceful means is long and strenuous, but it is less costly than wars, and our commitment to continue our efforts in facilitating and making peace is a firm commitment deeply rooted in the core of [Qatar’s] foreign policy.”