HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani urged the international community to take a firm stance against the violations of international law, not only in Libya but in all regional issues that do not take into account the law.
In a joint press conference with HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Turkey Mevlut Cavusoglu that was held in Ankara, His Excellency said the conflict in Libya is developing rapidly, noting the latest attacks on Tripoli carried out by illegal forces led by Haftar.
HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs said that the meeting with the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs discussed bilateral relations, important regional issues and events taking place in the Muslim world that requires further consultations and coordination.
His Excellency said that during the meeting they discussed the development of relations between the two countries. His Excellency described ties as strategic relations and added that they were growing continuously on the political and economic levels.
His Excellency said there is continuous coordination, exchange of views and a benefit for the peoples of the two countries from these ties, especially economic ties. His Excellency said that Qatar and Turkey are working on developing ties even further.
His Excellency expressed the gratitude of the State of Qatar to Turkey for its tole in leading the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in light of the changing circumstances that afflict the Muslim world. His Excellency highlighted the State of Qatar's support for Turkey in terms of continuing to play this role for its centrality in the Muslim world.
His Excellency said that they also discussed the conflict in Libya which is developing rapidly, noting the latest attacks on Tripoli carried out by illegal forces led by Haftar.
His Excellency said that despite the continuous efforts made by the Government of National Accord, which is recognized by the international community in compliance with Security Council resolutions, and despite all the support provided by the United Nations' mission to reach a political solution, there are those who want to override the international will, in violation of international laws to impose a new reality using force.
His Excellency urged the international community to take a firm stance against these violations of international law, not only in Libya but in all the regional issues that do not take into account the international law and international humanitarian law.
HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said that the international community, who are committed to international law, reacted to developments in Libya by calling for an end to the military operations carried out by Haftar forces, and also called for a return to the negotiations table in order to reach a political resolution.
His Excellency pointed out that there were some countries who supported Haftar's forces, but also issued joint statements condemning the latest move. His Excellency criticized those actions, saying they were hard to understand. His Excellency noted that one reason to explain that behavior is that those countries were looking to respond to the reaction of the international community and show that their position was in line with international law, specially that these joint statements were only issued after the international community rejected the illegal military operations in Libya.
His Excellency stressed that the international community recognized the government of national accord in Libya as the legitimate representative of the country, noting that it was not right to treat the government of national accord equally with outlawed parties, whether these parties were Haftar's forces or any other militias that do not follow the Libyan government.
His Excellency said that the meeting with the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs also discussed the latest developments of the Palestinian issue, especially in light of the recent remarks of the Israeli Prime Minister saying he will annex the West Bank, which provoked the feelings of the Arab World. His Excellency stressed that such a move is rejected based on international laws and conventions.
HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs said that the meeting also discussed developments of reaching a Palestinian reconciliation, and the regional and international efforts to help that process. His Excellency added that the outcome of the meeting saw an agreement on encouraging the two sides to unite as fast as possible, given they are the first line of defense for the Palestinian cause.
His Excellency mentioned that the meeting also focused on the developments of the efforts facilitated by the State of Qatar to achieve peace in Afghanistan through the talks held between the U.S. and Taliban, as well as between the different Afghani sides. His Excellency added that they also discussed the latest developments in Syria, particularly conditions in Idlib.
For his part, the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs said that the talks with HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs focused on bilateral issues that focused on expanding bilateral trade and joint projects in the defense fields. The meeting also focused on the Libyan crisis, the Palestinian issues, developments in Syria and in achieving peace in Afghanistan.
He stressed the agreement between Qatar and Turkey on the importance of reaching a political solution in Libya and strongly rejecting the military option, as well as agreeing to support the UN efforts in Libya.
His Excellency said that the government of national accord was recognized by the world and the UN, viewing the military moves by the illegal Haftar forces were in violation of the law and must be stopped as soon as possible, stressing that those who support Haftar are partners in what is happening in Libya. He stressed that Turkey will continue its talks with other countries, expressing hope that the world countries are honest in their condemnation of developments in Libya. He stressed that verbal condemnation was not enough, and that everyone has to support Libya in order to avoid repeating what happened in Iraq.
The Turkish Minister also expressed his country's support to the effort and mediation of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to find a political solution to the crisis in Afghanistan.
Cavusoglu said that the Qatari-Turkish stressed on the importance of reaching a just peace in Palestine, and added that the talks also focused on the Syrian issue.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The State of Qatar.
