Qatar Rejects Killing of Hostages - HE the Prime Minister

Doha, October 06 (QNA) - HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani has reiterated Qatar's stance that rejects killing of hostages, expressing hope that the matter of the kidnapped Iranians is solved through dialogue rather than killing hostages. Speaking to Al Jazeera, His Excellency said we are concerned at the situation in Syria. "What is taking place in Syria is something must be handled, and the ongoing bloodshed must be brought to an end," he said while blaming it on Syrian government. Regarding a call he received from Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi, HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim said that Salehi told him about the issue of the kidnapped Iranian nationals. The policy of the State of Qatar does not accept killing of hostages, he said, adding that Qatar also does not want the situation in Syria to aggravate. "I told my colleague that we have no information about the kidnappers," His Excellency said, stressing that Qatar is willing to help if there is any information through which it can help Iran's efforts. "We will be happy to do so because Iran is our neighbor and we wish them all the best. We hope that the matter is addressed wisely and through dialogue rather than killing hostages" Asked about his assessment to Lakhdar Brahimi's mission, HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim said we put our trust in Lakhdar Brahimi who we know for a long period of time; and he has a long tradition of mediating many crises. He said that Kofi Annan, who first handled this crisis, announced his withdrawal due to the intransigence of the Syrian government. Now, he said, we await Lakhdar Brahimi's efforts and I'm sure he will do his best but I'm not sure that the other party is serious about putting an end to this crisis, and about implementing the wishes of the Syrian people. On the issue of sending Arab troops to Syria, His Excellency Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani said that some Arab countries considered this idea as good and should be developed urgently, while other countries remain neutral. The Arabs must take clear action, he said, adding that what was announced by HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani aimed at stopping the ongoing fighting in Syria. He also said that the US elections overshadowed the current situation, adding that he does not think that the world, including the Arab and Islamic countries, will stand by and watch the Syrian people being slaughtered. HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister termed the speech of His Highness the Emir as a call for an effective and practical thing to be done in Syrian affairs, hoping to see a response from all Arab brothers and from friends, as well. (QNA)