Qatari PM: We always prefer diplomacy over any military resolutions

And end of the war in Gaza would also stop Houthi attacks, the PM said.

2024 01 16T104528Z 1 LYNXMPEK0F0DM RTROPTP 4 QATAR TURKEY scaled
Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Bin Jassim Al Thani speaks during a joint press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, in Doha, Qatar October 25, 2023. REUTERS/Imad Creidi/ File Photo

Military strikes are not effective in curbing the attacks on commercial shipping lanes in the Red Sea by Yemen’s Houthis, according to Qatar’s prime minister. Instead, stressed that ending the conflict in Gaza would be the key to preventing escalation in various regions.

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, described the current regional situation as a “recipe for escalation everywhere.” Qatar believes that resolving the Gaza issue is crucial for diffusing tensions across different fronts, stating that addressing the root cause is essential for sustainable solutions. The conflict, stemming from the war between Israel and Hamas, has extended to other parts of the Middle East, with Iran-aligned groups conducting attacks in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen since October 7.

Since November, the Iran-backed Houthi group in Yemen has been targeting vessels in the Red Sea, a crucial route representing approximately 12% of global shipping traffic. They claim to be supporting Palestinians in their conflict with Israel.

In response, U.S. and British forces have conducted numerous air and sea strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen since last Friday.

Sheikh Mohammed expressed concern that the U.S. and British attacks pose a significant risk of escalating and expanding the conflict further. “We consistently prioritize diplomacy over military resolutions,” he stated.

According to Sheikh Mohammed, the international community will be hesitant to fund the reconstruction of Gaza without a viable and sustainable two-state solution in Israel and Palestine. Underlining the importance of considering the broader context, he urged the international community to demand that Israel commit to a time-bound and irreversible pathway to a two-state solution.

 

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