Qatar believes that the conflict in Afghanistan can only be resolved through peaceful means and there is no military solution, Foreign Minister’s Special Envoy for Counterterrorism and Mediation in Conflict Resolution, Dr Mutlaq bin Majed al-Qahtani, has said.
Delivering a speech during the Intra-Afghan Conference for Peace in Doha yesterday, he said that Qatar continues its efforts as a mediator to build trust, reach a sustainable ceasefire, achieve civilians’ protection, release of prisoners, bring together the views of the parties concerned in the conflict to reach a political solution that will ensure the achievement of peace, stability and prosperity for the Afghan people, which will positively affect the promotion of regional and international peace and stability.
Dr al-Qahtani stated that the Intra-Afghan talks is historic, pointing out that the meeting is an integral part of this peace process and tangible evidence of serious desire and genuine dialogue in the pursuit of peace in Afghanistan.
Dr al-Qahtani added that Afghan people displayed a strong desire for peace.
He added that the Afghan people are going through a crucial historical phase that separates two options: to move forward in strengthening the political process, guaranteeing all the rights of the Afghan people and achieving their aspirations for security, stability, prosperity and risking the collapse of the situation or the continuation of the cycle of violence and destruction and the disappearance of the dreams of future generations.
Dr al-Qahtani stressed that Qatar’s leadership, people and government will remain a force of peace, love and co-operation with the Afghan people, the international community and other peace-loving people.
In remarks on the sideline of the Intra-Afghan peace talks, Dr al-Qahtani expressed his appreciation of everyone’s effort to reach peaceful resolutions especially those made between Taliban’s and US.
Dr al-Qahtani pointed out that the talks revolve around four axes, the first is not to use Afghan territory by any party to threaten the interests of the United States or its allies and other countries in the region, the second is the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghan territory within specific time frames, the third is a dialogue and direct talks between Afghans and some between the Taliban and the Afghan government, and the fourth is to have a comprehensive ceasefire.
Dr al-Qahtani added that progress has been made in the first and second axes, while further progress is being made in the third axis, namely, dialogue, since dialogue comes first, followed by direct negotiations.
On the role of Qatar in mediation, Dr al-Qahtani stressed that the Afghan crisis concerns Afghans in the first place. “Afghans are the ones who deal with it and we are only helping them to end this ongoing war”, he said adding that that there is no military solution to this crisis, as there is a regional and international consensus that the negotiations in Qatar are the right path to restore peace and stability in Afghanistan.
On Taliban’s ceasefire condition before sitting with the Afghan government, Dr al-Qahtani said that the issue of a ceasefire is an integral part of the agreement and the political process in Afghanistan.
As for the announcement of an agreement between the US and the Taliban after seven rounds of dialogue, Dr al-Qahtani said that there is a great progress, expressing hope that the agreement can announced during this year.
Foreign Minister’s Special Envoy for Counterterrorism and Mediation in Conflict Resolution Dr Mutlaq bin Majed al-Qahtani talking to the media. PICTURE: Thajudheen
