Qatar Reiterates Support for All International Efforts to Support Peace, Security, Stability and Prosperity in Afghanistan

New York, November 28 (QNA) - The State of Qatar has renewed its support for all international efforts to support peace, security, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan, expressing its belief in the peaceful and political settlement of crises, the priority it attaches to mediation and its commitment to achieving lasting peace in Afghanistan.

This came in a statement delivered by HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the UN Ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani at the UN General Assembly on the situation in Afghanistan.

Her Excellency said that the State of Qatar is continuing its good offices and mediation efforts among the Afghan parties, in order to stop the violence, converge views, achieve reconciliation and lay the foundations for a political settlement. This will ensure peace, stability and prosperity for the Afghan people, and will positively reflect on the strengthening of regional and international peace and security, she added.

As part of Qatar's mediation efforts, Doha recently hosted the Afghan Peace Conference from July 7-8 , 2019, under the auspices of the State of Qatar and the Federal Republic of Germany, Her Excellency pointed out.

She said that the conference brought together many figures representing the society of Afghanistan, and dealt with a wide range of issues including the rights of women and minorities, the cease-fire, the release of prisoners, the withdrawal of foreign forces and the political future. Her Excellency pointed to the broad and distinctive women's participation in the conference, which reflects Qatar's keenness on women's participation in peacemaking and peacebuilding efforts, given its pivotal role in creating peaceful and inclusive societies.

Her Excellency noted the conference's success in reaching a joint statement as a first step for peace, expressing her hope that the outcome of the conference will be followed by steps leading to a cessation of violence and a comprehensive and sustainable peace in Afghanistan.

Also, she noted that Qatar is hosting several rounds of talks between the United States and the Taliban, in order to find a diplomatic way to achieve peace and stability in Afghanistan and end the suffering of its people.

Qatar welcomed the report of the Secretary-General and his highlight of the importance of peace talks between the Afghan parties and the talks between the United States and the Taliban that have been mediated by Qatari efforts, HE Ambassador Sheikha Alya said, stressing the importance of the role of the international community in supporting the Afghan people to complete the transitional phase and overcome the challenges that still face them, including the challenges facing sustainable development and the Afghan economy. Security challenges particularly remain a serious concern as they include repeated attacks and bombings across the country that target civilians, she added.

Her Excellency expressed Qatar's strong condemnation of these attacks and its firm position on the rejection of violence and terrorism, whatever the motives and reasons.

At the end of her statement, HE the Ambassador reiterated the State of Qatar's continued support to Afghanistan to serve the interest of the Afghan brothers and achieve the peace and prosperity that they desire and deserve. (QNA)