New York, April 23 (QNA) - The State of Qatar called for work to reduce tensions and end crises in the Middle East, in light of the crises and challenges the region is witnessing, including the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic, stressing the need for fruitful cooperation and the consolidation of the principles of good neighborliness and mutual respect.

The State of Qatar's statement was during the UN Security Council Open Debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, read by HE Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani.

The statement stressed the State of Qatar's support of all international efforts aiming to make a real progress in settling the Middle-East's permanent issue, noting that this calls for continued attention from the UN Security Council and the solidarity of the international community with the Palestinian people until they obtain their full rights, end their suffering, and create favorable conditions for the peace process.

The statement added that reaching a fair, comprehensive, and permanent settlement of the Palestinian issue serves the interests of Palestinians and Israelis together, in addition to helping enhance the region's stability. The statement said that the foundations for peace were well known to all, represented in the commitment to a two-state solution based on international law and UN resolutions to establish a Palestinian state on the borders of 1967 with East Al Quds as its capital, where it can live peacefully side-by-side with Israel, ending the occupation of all Arab land, and reaching a just resolution to the issue of refugees.

The statement noted that the continued expansion of settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Al Quds, attempts to annex lands, the demolition and displacement of Palestinian buildings and other illegal practices undermine the two-state solution. The statement also warned that the policies of Judaization in the city of Al Quds and attempts to harm religious sanctities, and the use of excessive violence against Palestinian civilians by Israeli forces does not help build the confidence needed to advance the peace process.

The statement of the State of Qatar also highlighted the importance of the Palestinian elections, stressing that the importance of the elections success and the full participation of Palestinians in all the occupied Palestinian territories.

The statement stressed the need at this stage for the recovery of the Palestinian economy, especially in light of the negative effects of the Coronavirus pandemic, calling on the international community to support through the ad hoc contact committee in which the State of Qatar participates in.

In that context, the statement stressed the critical importance of continuing to provide the necessary international funding to ensure the continuity of the indispensable services of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), noting that the State of Qatar welcomes the United States decision to resume providing support to the Palestinians, saying it would alleviate their suffering and support efforts aimed at confronting the pandemic.

The statement highlighted that the State of Qatar is considered one of the major donors to UNRWA, in line with its duty to stand with the brotherly Palestinian people besieged in the Gaza Strip, referring to the grant that His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Amir of the country, has allocated to the Gaza Strip worth $360 million to pay the salaries of employees, provide financial aid to needy families, and operate power stations, to reduce the worsening of the humanitarian situation and the difficult living conditions in the Strip. That is in addition to $1.5 billion of Qatari aid to meet emergency and developmental needs, and develop the infrastructure over the past eight years.

On the Syrian crisis, the Statement said that the State of Qatar believes that military solutions will not work, and stressed that the resolution can only come through a political process facilitated by the UN in line with the Geneva statement of 2012 and the implementation of UN Security Council resolution 2254, to maintain the sovereignty and unity of Syria, reiterating the important role of the constitutional committee. The statement expressed the State of Qatar's readiness to provide support in cooperation with the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General and the continuous interaction with the Syrian parties, as well as to support the voluntary return of Syrian refugees.

In the context of Qatar's continued constructive efforts with international partners, the statement referred to the joint ministerial statement of the first consultative meeting of the State of Qatar, the Republic of Turkey, and the Russian Federation on March 11 in Doha.

The statement also said that there was a need for measures to build confidence and protect human rights, especially the issues related to detainees, with the statement stressing the importance of the continuing to facilitate the unimpeded access of aid to those in need throughout Syria, including across borders through the UN mechanism.

With regards to providing humanitarian support, the statement indicated the State of Qatar's commitment to its responsibility in providing aid to the Syrian people, with aid exceeding $2 billion, in addition to the recent pledge of $100 million at last month's donors conference.

The statement noted the commitment of the State of Qatar to supporting the impartial and independent international mechanism based on its legal and moral responsibility towards justice and accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity, which contributes to the sustainability of peace, adding that the atrocities committed in Syria are one of the best-documented, including the use of banned chemical weapons against civilians. The statement said that these atrocities were documented by many international reports, the latest of which was the report of the Investigation and Identification Team on the Saraqib incident, issued last week.

Regarding the crisis in Libya, the statement expressed the State of Qatar's welcoming of the positive developments that the country has witnessed during the past months, leading to the election of representatives of the Interim executive authority and the attainment of the confidence of the interim government of national unity in the house of representatives, affirming the State of Qatar's full support for the new government in order to achieve the aspirations of the Libyan people for development, stability and prosperity.

The statement of the State of Qatar also expressed hope that the new government would pave the way for a comprehensive political solution that preserves the unity of the Libyan territories, respects the rights of the Libyan people, and establishes a state of law and civil institutions, stressing the need for all Libyan parties to adhere to the set election date and work to achieve a comprehensive reconciliation. The State of Qatar also praised the efforts of the UN mission and the role it plays in enhancing stability and ending the crisis in Libya.

The statement of the State of Qatar stressed the importance of reducing tensions and ending crises in the Middle East, in light of challenges the region is witnessing, including the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic, stressing the need for fruitful cooperation and the consolidation of the principles of good neighborliness and mutual respect.

The statement also said that the State of Qatar, due to its commitment to resolving crises peacefully and adhering to international law, will continue to work on ways to enhance security and stability in the region through constructive dialogue that benefits all the region's countries and peoples. (QNA)