HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud said that the magnitude of the humanitarian disaster in Syria and the serious consequences of the continuing crisis on the security and stability of the region and the world require that the Non-Aligned Movement (Nam) takes a strong position in support of international efforts to reach a political solution according to the Geneva-1 communique.
Addressing the 17th Nam summit On Margarita Island, Venezuela, HE the Deputy Prime Minister said the State of Qatar is at the forefront of the countries that provide humanitarian assistance to Syrian people, adding that it will continue this support and will not hesitate to make any effort that would put an end to the suffering of the Syrian brothers, bring a political solution to the Syrian crisis and enhance security and stability in the region.
HE al-Mahmoud added the continued grave deterioration in Syria represents an international failure to address the crisis that has left the majority of the Syrian people in need of assistance as a result of a systematic policy to impose a blockade on civilians and deprive them of the most basic necessities of life as well as the use of all types of weapons that killed nearly half a million innocent civilians and displaced millions inside and outside Syria.
At the end of last August a joint investigation by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the UN mechanism established pursuant to Security Council Resolution 2235 (2015) confirmed that the Syrian regime and ISIS group used chemical weapons in Syria, he said.
The use of chemical weapons against civilians represents a flagrant violation of international law and international instruments, HE the Deputy Prime Minister said, adding that justice and equity require that the international community take immediate and effective measures to protect the Syrian people and bring all those responsible for all war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Syria to justice, and ensure they do not escape punishment so as to prevent the recurrence of such atrocities.
The pursuit of the movement since its inception to achieve a world of equality, justice and stability is fully compatible with the policy of the State of Qatar and its efforts at the international level, HE the Deputy Prime Minister said, stressing the keenness of the State of Qatar to co-operate with Nam countries on the basis of mutual respect, non-interference in the affairs of others and support programmes and policies to advance development, peace and respect for international law.
Qatar appreciates the Non-Aligned Movement’s support for the Palestinian cause, HE al-Mahmoud pointed out, saying: “I have no doubt that this will continue in the light of the continuing Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory and the continued denial by Israel of the Palestinian people’s rights and their right to establish their independent state.”