Qatar Urges Ceasefire and Return to Negotiations to Resolve Regional Crisis
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Qatar has reiterated that the only way to resolve the ongoing regional crisis is through a ceasefire and a return to negotiations. The statement comes from Majid Al-Ansari, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, as reported by Al Jazeera and subsequently by the Mehr News Agency.
Al-Ansari revealed that on March 19th, the remains of one of two pilots who violated Qatari airspace were discovered. He confirmed that these remains were handed over to Iran. “We will not hesitate in defending our country, people, and sovereignty,” Al-Ansari stated, adding that diplomatic efforts are currently the priority.
The Qatari spokesperson claimed that Iran has not responded to their request for a technical team to investigate the search operations. He noted that Iran held a funeral ceremony for one of the pilots and that the invitation for Iran to send a technical team remains open. Qatar questions the motives behind Iran raising the issue of the pilots six months after its resolution.
Qatar’s primary focus, according to Al-Ansari, is on de-escalating tensions and bringing the parties involved in the crisis back to the negotiating table. “What we want in Qatar is an agreement to open the Strait of Hormuz and, simultaneously, a ceasefire,” he said. Al-Ansari reiterated, “The only way forward is a ceasefire, the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and a return to negotiations.”
Regarding the situation in Gaza, Al-Ansari expressed hope for progress despite Israel’s steadfastness in implementing a ceasefire plan. “What we demand is that both sides fully implement the agreed-upon ceasefire plan,” he stated. He also highlighted Hamas’s announcement of an agreement regarding disarmament as a significant step, awaiting a response from the Israeli side.
Al-Ansari also mentioned that there is continuous coordination among the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council to collectively confront any future challenges. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson further condemned the targeting of the office of the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
