Qatar concerned over Syria, Gaza deal gains momentum

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
7 Dec 2024 13:38

Qatar’s PM says there is significant encouragement from the incoming US administration to reach an agreement regarding Gaza.

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Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani speaks during a joint press conference with his Egyptian counterpart in Egypt's new administrative capital on November 27, 2024 (AFP)

Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani held discussions with his Turkish, Jordanian, and Iranian counterparts on recent developments in Syria, as well as the ongoing situation in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories, Doha announced on Saturday.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani engaged in phone talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, the Qatari Foreign Ministry stated.

It mentioned that the conversations focused on strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation, while also addressing the humanitarian crises in Gaza and the Palestinian territories.

The situation in Syria, which has seen advances by opposition militants against the Syrian Army in recent days, was also discussed.

Al Thani expressed his country’s profound concern over the situation in Syria, emphasizing the need to protect civilians from the repercussions of the ongoing crisis, the Ministry said.

In his discussions with Turkish and Iranian officials, Al Thani reaffirmed Qatar’s steadfast position in advocating for dialogue and mutual understanding among all parties to resolve the Syrian crisis, in line with international resolutions, including UN Security Council Resolution 2254, the statement added.

Adopted in December 2015, Resolution 2254 calls for peace talks and a political solution to the conflict while upholding Syria’s sovereignty and independence.

At the Doha Forum for Political Dialogue, Al Thani considered that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad "didn't seize these opportunities to start engaging and restoring his relationship with his people, and we didn't see any serious movement, whether it's on the return of the refugees or on reconciling with his own people."

He warned that the situation might become "more and more dangerous," threatening a return to a more intense level of "civil war".

Sheikh Mohammed added such an outcome would "damage and destroy what's left, if there is not any sense of urgency to start putting (in place) a political framework for what's happening over there... in order to find a political solution."

No clear decision has been made regarding Syria: Araghchi

In a related context, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that he had discussed with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan ways to protect the Syrian people, support Syria's territorial integrity, and prevent unforeseen consequences in the region.

Following the meetings, Araghchi stated that no clear decision has yet been made regarding the outcomes of developments in Syria, noting that all parties are currently engaging in discussions and exchanging perspectives.

Araghchi has traveled to Qatar to participate in the Doha Forum 2024 and a meeting of the Astana process, which is taking place on the sidelines of the event. The senior diplomat arrived in Doha on Saturday morning.

The Astana process meeting is being held in Doha, as the foreign ministers of the three guarantor states of the Astana framework – Iran, Russia, and Turkiye – are attending the Doha Forum in the Qatari capital.

The Astana process is focused on resolving armed conflicts in Syria. However, this session of the process does not include Qatar as a participant.

Araghchi’s visit to Qatar follows his trip to Baghdad, where he held a joint meeting with his Iraqi and Syrian counterparts to discuss developments in Syria, where militants have taken control of several areas over the past week.

Gaza negotiations gained momentum following Trump election

The top Qatari diplomat also revealed that negotiations aimed at achieving a truce and a prisoner exchange in Gaza have gained momentum following the election of Donald Trump as US President, adding that there is significant encouragement from the incoming administration to reach an agreement, even before the President-elect officially takes office.

In early November, Qatar announced that it withdrew from its role as a primary mediator in ceasefire and prisoner swap negotiations between the Israeli occupation and Hamas, citing a lack of genuine commitment to negotiation.

Qatar, along with the United States and Egypt, had been working for months to broker a truce that would include the release of captives and detainees, but these efforts have yet to yield progress. But a couple of days ago, a source familiar with the discussions told AFP that Qatar is once again engaged in mediation.