Qatar and Libya Enjoy Strong, Distinguished Ties - HE the Premier

Doha, January 16 (QNA) - HE Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani has said that Qatar and Libya enjoy strong and distinguished relations. Speaking at a joint press conference with Libyan Interim Prime Minister Dr Ali Zaidan Mohammad after their meeting in Doha Tuesday evening, HE the Prime Minister said that their meeting tackled all aspects of political and economic cooperation as well as military and security relations, especially "in the field of training". He added that the talk touched on how to conduct training and development should Libya needs any kind of cooperation with the relevant Qatari bodies. Prime Minister and Foreign Minister HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani expressed his pleasure at the visit by the Libyan Prime Minister and his accompanying delegation to Doha and the talks held to stress the close ties between the two countries. HE the Premier and Foreign Minister described as "special" the Qatari-Libyan relations, particularly after the Libyan people revolution victory .. He added that "The role and duty done by Qatar to help the Libyan people came from believing that these people deserve freedom and be managed by democratic manner." HE the Premier and Foreign Minister also expressed his happiness on the successful elections in Libya and the atmosphere that held in. .. stressing that " the elections were transparent and clear and took place in an atmosphere that reflected the beginning of Libya progress under the new era". Asked about Taliban's opening of a representation office in Doha, HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim said the office will open as soon as possible and arrangements are underway, noting that its mission will be to facilitate talks between Taliban, the government, and other parties in Afghanistan. "I think the idea is to try to find comprehensive peace in Afghanistan through dialogue." HE the Premier and Foreign Minister highlighted the significance of the Taliban office, noting that it is important to have "a kind of political process" before international troops pull out from Afghanistan in 2014 , otherwise, the country might face the prospect of being pulled again into "a war that will take longer than anyone might think." "Our aim from this effort is to try to help our Afghan brethren find a peaceful solution... a political solution, which could lead them to a democratic system accepted by all or most of the parties in Afghanistan," Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim said of the Qatari efforts in this regard. As for the crisis in Mali, the Qatari premier said he believes it could be solved through political dialogue. "I think political dialogue is important and necessary. I do not think force would solve the problem." He stressed that the issue must be discussed between neighboring countries, the African Union and the Security Council, adding that Qatar can be part of any effort to solve the crisis but not the sole mediator. "Our policy is to try to help but not to intervene politically." On the Libyan-Qatari ties HE Prime Minister and Foreign Minister said that Qatar dealing today with elected Libyan government and have no financial or political ambitions .. "We're a state of institutions and deal with the official authorities in Libya with all respect and we do not interfere in affairs of any party and if they want any help to the extent required by the Libyan government, we will deal from this standpoint.", HE the Premier and Foreign Minister added. " There are Some rumors that come from certain parties with certain targets , "we do not care about them, what is important for us are the ties between the Libyan and the Qatari people who know the extent of the sacrifices made." "Qatar is a rich country, Libya also is a rich country and relations between the Libyan and Qatari peoples are governments strong and this is important based on appreciation, respect and non-interference in the internal affairs of any party.", HE the Premier and Foreign Minister noted HE the Premier and Foreign Minister pointed out that "Qatar during the liberation of Libya from Gaddafi had cooperated with many Libyan parties and it had relations with various parties in Libya and did not prefer any party to other " .. He said "these relations had not been considered as an interference at that time because its goal was to help the people and the Libyan rebels to get rid of the previous era to begin of a new one." Regarding Syria and the statements by Russian Foreign Minister in which he said 'Bashar al-Assad's removal from power is impossible', HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister said: "I think that anyone can do his own assessment to the situation in Syria." "We respect Russia as a major country and we ask and hope that they become part of the solution and that Qatar and the Arab world and the West become part of the solution as well. However to contribute to that solution requires us to find out what the Syrian people want." The Syrian people want stability and change, His excellency said, adding "that is why we decided at the Arab League to support the Syrian people and ask President Bashar openly to leave power so that the Syrians choose who they want to rule them as well as the way in which they will be governed in the future". HE the Prime Minister said in the same context other assessments could be 'who will be defeated', adding these are issues that may be tomorrow or after one year. "There are rivers of blood, thousands of deaths and destruction of towns and villages similar to the devastation of World War", he said, noting that these towns and villages were not destroyed by terrorists, but by the government military machine. "Therefore neither the Arab world nor the West can deal with a regime slaughtering his own people and destroying his country this way." HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister said that these things cannot go without punishment. He added: "We had hoped that President Bashar and his entourage would quit power and we will deal with the legal aspect for them in this case and this was done through the Arab League and in agreement with our allies." His Excellency went on saying that things will change for the benefit of the Syrian people because the will of the people will triumph in the end. On the visit of Assistant Iranian President for International Affairs to Doha recently, HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani said the visit by Iranian Official was not strange, especially as Qatar is keen to have strong and solid relations with neighbors "and if there is a differences in views it should be limited to a particular form. " He added that visits between Qatar and Iran have never been broken " Iranian officials are visiting Qatar, the Iranian foreign minister visited Doha almost a month ago as well as Qatari officials also are visiting Iran" .. He said, "Iran is an important country in the Gulf and we cannot be working in this region unless there is a close cooperation with it . " On Qatar's role in releasing of Iranian nationals detained in Syrian territory, HE the Premier and Foreign Minister said "The role was mediation between the two parties to end this issue" .. Adding, "We do not believe in detaining of any party by the other , but we know the situation in Syria, and we know the feelings of the Syrian people and the regime almost captivate a large part of its people." HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Foreign Affairs that the issue of the release of the hostages were in the desire of the Iranian side and the second party, which holds hostages for having a mediator for the issue. On the visit of the Lebanese Interior Minister to Doha to request mediation for the release of detained Lebanese in Syria, HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim explained that any help Qatar can provide to any party should be in a structured framework and mutually acceptable, Qatar is always striving for good by resolving such crises in the region Responding to a question on whether the Arab countries may present mechanisms or specific steps for the departure of Bashar al-Assad, HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister said "he must leave power first in order that we find for him an appropriate mechanism that protect him, his family and his entourage," cautioning that this would become difficult as time passes. His Excellency added: "This idea was on the table two months ago and was presented by the Arab League but I do not know whether the opposition and Syrian people will still accept it, and it is an important issue." Will Bashar al-Assad seek refuge in Qatar or in other countries? His Excellency said "if there is anything on this it should be based on the consent of the Syrian people or those who represent the Syrian people." As for Qatar's financial aid to Egypt, HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim pointed to his recent visit to Egypt, where he met with President Mohamed Morsy, noting that Qatar will support Egypt and its people as this has always been the policy of HH the Emir. "Qatar will stand by Egypt and the Egyptian people's needs. We don't want to see the biggest country in the Middle East and the Arab world bankrupt. I don't think this is wise. I think it is in the interest of the World Bank and the international community not to see Egypt brought down," said HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani , stressing that Egypt's financial stability is pivotal to stability in the Middle East. Speaking about the possibility of a visit by HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani to Libya, HE the Premier and Foreign Minister said it could happen at anytime and HH the Emir is eager to make it whenever it is convenient for the two countries. HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim also referred to HH the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani's visit to Libya last year, adding that HH the Heir Apparent represents Qatar and HH the Emir.(END)