HE the Prime Minister Meets the NATO Secretary General

Brussels, March 01 (QNA) - HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani met in Brussels today NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen. During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations between Qatar and NATO and ways to develop them, in addition to issues of common concern and the situation in Syria. The meeting was attended by members of the delegation accompanying HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. In a statement to reporters following meeting, HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister said the meetings that took place on Thursday in the Belgian capital "falls in the context of the exchange of views on the Syrian issue and a number of other issues that bind us either with the EU, the European Parliament or NATO. HE added "Today we tried to think about how to stop the killings in Syria. We aim to stop killing at the lowest possible losses as the situation doesn't tolerate waiting for so long, and for that we call for intervention as much as we call upon the Syrian authorities to take responsible action to stop such acts against unarmed civilians and against those whom they term as gangs because they are defending themselves. After watching the devastation we renew our call for the need to find a quick solution to this crisis. We call for stopping the killings and guaranteeing access for humanitarian aid and call on the Syrian government to accept the Arab initiative of 22 January that sets a road map out of the impasse to meet the demands of the Syrian people". On the discussions on the Syrian issue with the Europeans, HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister said “There are many ideas around this subject. There are the contacts between Arab League Secretary-General Dr. Nabil el-Arabi, and the Special Envoy to Syria Kofi Annan. Also, there are ideas we are studying on how to move on the matter before the next Istanbul meeting, because the situation doesn't tolerate waiting. HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani is also having many consultations with leaders on this issue. " On the Iranian nuclear programme and what was agreed upon with the Europeans, HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani, said "We are against any military action against Iran. It is important that the issue must be discussed by the two sides and a diplomatic solution must be found. (QNA)