Prime Minister : Military Intervention Wouldn't End Mali's Crisis

Doha, January 29 (QNA) - HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani has rejected claims that Qatar had distributed weapons in northern Mali, expressing regret that some of these claims "come from sisterly countries." Speaking at a joint press conference with Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim said Qatar neither has any kind of intervention in Mali nor is biased in favor of any party in the crisis. HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim urged those who say these "false accusations" to provide clear evidence so that claims would have a basis, stressing that Qatar communicates with all parties so that peace would prevail in Mali, and adding that Qatar knows all about these accusations and "some of our friends tell us who promote them." HE the Premier and Foreign Minister reiterated Qatar's stance regarding military intervention in Mali would not end the crisis, noting that it is important to seek convenient means to solve the conflict and save the country so that Mali would become a strong state and all the parties to be in agreement. HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim called for a direct role for the government of Mali, the African Union, neighboring countries and the U.N. in solving the conflict, saying that this is Qatar's viewpoint, which HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani told to the Malian president during his recent visit to Doha. HE the Premier noted that Qatar will assist in solving the conflict in Mali if it is requested to do so, adding that the crisis started as a humanitarian one before turning into violence. Qatar believes these issues should be resolved through dialogue and the government of Mali must adopt this dialogue and work on restoring security, HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim said, noting that this does not mean Mali's government is in no need of help. Qatar has consistently provided humanitarian aid on several occasions in countries such as Japan, the United States, and Haiti, which had experienced natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes and floods, HE the Premier said. On developments in Syria, HE the Premier and Foreign Minister urged efforts to enable the Syrian people to protect themselves from the suffering of the horrible massacres, displacement and destruction of villages, which he said were demolished completely . He urged the international community to shoulder its responsibilities in this regard as differences in positions gave justification for the killings that affect the Syrian citizens and cause the demolition of houses and destruction in this country. HE the Premier and Foreign Minister stressed that the Syrian people will win in the end, and will get its freedom despite the failure of the international community. On the upcoming US-Russian summit and its impact on what is happening in Syria, HE the Premier and Foreign Minister expressed his belief that there is room for a Russian- US agreement in this regard, or through the UN Security Council. He said in this context that the UN-Arab League joint envoy to Syria has made clear efforts in this regard, but all parties of the crisis were sticking to a specific opinion. HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister said that the important factor that will resolve the battle in Syria are resistance fighters on the ground .. He expressed the hope that would happen in the shortest possible time to reduce the human and material losses because if the crisis prolongs the losses will be greater.(END)