Advisor to Prime Minister, Foreign Ministry Official Spokesperson: Qatar Continues Efforts to Ensure the Ceasefire Holds in Gaza
Doha, December 02 (QNA) - Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majed Mohammed Al Ansari affirmed that the State of Qatar continues its intensive efforts to ensure the current ceasefire in the Gaza Strip holds, monitoring the implementation of the agreement from day one through the Joint Monitoring Room in Cairo, in coordination with various mediation partners.
During the weekly media briefing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Al Ansari stated that the recorded violations are not only concerning but represent a matter of great importance for the State of Qatar in terms of monitoring and addressing them, emphasizing that work continues to monitor these breaches to ensure the current ceasefire does not collapse.
He added that communications continue among the parties at various levels to reach the second phase of the agreement, although there is no new development to announce at this time, noting recent statements by US officials over the past few days supporting the continuation of the ceasefire.
Dr. Al Ansari confirmed that Qatari efforts continue in coordination with various partners, expressing confidence in the US President's plan as well as the American position supporting the ceasefire, alongside efforts by mediators and various regional states in this regard.
The Advisor to the Prime Minister and Foreign Ministry Official Spokesperson stressed that the ongoing violations pose a threat to the ceasefire and peace in general, stressing that Qatar views these violations with great concern and shares them with all its partners in mediation and across the region.
He reiterated that Qatar always stands by its partners in the international community, based on its consistent policy of resolving crises through peaceful means and addressing disputes at the negotiating table.
Regarding recent tensions between Venezuela and the United States, Al Ansari noted that the State of Qatar has played a mediating role in this context, including in the exchange of hostages between the two countries, emphasizing that Qatar closely follows developments between the two sides, expresses concern, strongly supports any dialogue between them, and affirms its readiness to provide any necessary assistance.
He also emphasized that every violation of the ceasefire in Gaza represents a threat to its stability and diminishes its effectiveness on the ground, noting that the current ceasefire is the longest since the start of the war, despite the difficult conditions, the casualties, and the repeated daily violations.
Al Ansari explained that the ceasefire in Gaza remains in effect, stressing that efforts should now focus on turning the ceasefire into an opportunity to advance toward the second phase, which is what Qatar is working on in cooperation with its partners.
During the media briefing, Al Ansari also addressed the situation of the press and journalists during the war in Gaza, stating that the press has been among the most painful victims of this war, and the killing of journalists indicates Israel's unwillingness for the truth to be seen by the world, adding that the State of Qatar always calls, together with its international partners, for the protection of journalists and media workers and for preventing their direct targeting.
Regarding the 46th Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit, set to convene in Manama, Bahrain, Al Ansari clarified that the summit would tackle the full gamut of regional issues.
Al Ansari emphasized that the GCC states have played substantial roles over the past months and years in addressing crises both inside and beyond the region, imbuing this regular summit with heightened significance.
He also noted that the recent Joint Gulf Defense Council meeting was held in the wake of serious security challenges and threats faced across the region.
On Qatar's efforts regarding the Russia-Ukraine crisis, Al Ansari stated that Qatar engaged from day one in exploring possible mediation efforts and supported all global initiatives aimed at resolving the conflict.
He highlighted Qatar's success in reuniting over 115 children affected by the war with their families from both sides, underlining the Qatari message to all parties is that conflicts are ultimately resolved through peaceful means, and the dialogue table remains the path to crisis resolution.
Qatar remains in constant engagement with partners in Russia, Ukraine, and the United States, monitoring developments closely and supporting all positive efforts in this context, Al Ansari underlined.
Al Ansari further reviewed key activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs over the past week, as HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani received a delegation of Their Excellencies members of the United States Congress, as well as Commander of the US Central Command Admiral Charles Bradford Cooper.
Al Ansari highlighted that the fourth round of political consultations was held on Thursday in Brussels between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Qatar and Belgium. The Qatari side was led by HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, while the Belgian side was chaired by HE Chair of the Administrative Committee and Secretary-General of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Theodora Gentsez.
He noted that HE Minister of State for International Cooperation Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad met last Sunday with HE National Security Advisor of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Khalilur Rahman, to discuss bilateral cooperation and explore avenues to support and enhance collaborative efforts, particularly in the humanitarian field.
He added that HE Minister of State for International Cooperation met on Monday with HE Minister for Foreign Trade and Development of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Okie De Vries, and today inaugurated the high-level meeting of the Least Developed Countries under the theme: "Forging Ambitious Global Partnerships for Sustainable and Resilient Graduation of Least Developed Countries", hosted in Doha until Dec. 4, 2025.
Al Ansari further highlighted that HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi led the Qatari delegation to the 166th ministerial meeting, preparatory to the 46th session of the Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), held Sunday in Manama, Bahrain. (QNA)
