Doha, March 02 (QNA) - The Shura Council convened its weekly routine session in Tamim bin Hamad Hall at the Council's headquarters on Monday. The session was chaired by HE Speaker Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim.

As the session began, the Council expressed its strong condemnation and denunciation of the Israeli assault that has been targeting the State of Qatar's territory with ballistic missiles and drones since last Saturday.

It considered this assault a blatant violation of national sovereignty and a menacing escalation that undermines the security and stability of the region, runs contrary to the principles of good neighborliness, and contravenes the international rules-based order and the UN Charter.

The Council commended the efforts undertaken by the Ministries of Defense, Interior, and Foreign Affairs, as well as the nation's authoritative agencies in dealing with the consequences of this attack. It praised the efficiency and high level of combat readiness of the Qatari Armed Forces, and the capability they demonstrated in intercepting a sheer number of repeated missile waves, reflecting a strong degree of professionalism and vigilance in safeguarding the country's security and territorial integrity.

The State of Qatar has been undertaking a constructive and responsible role in facilitating dialogue between Iran and the international community and has always been committed to sparing the region from escalation risks, moved by its enduring belief in the settlement of conflicts with peaceful means and strengthening regional stability, the Council pointed out.

The Council reiterated its call for the immediate cessation of hostilities and the return to the negotiation path to protect the region's security and the interests of its peoples, underlining that the renewed Iranian assault and its violation of the State of Qatar's sovereignty do not reflect good intentions and run contrary to the principles of good neighborliness.

In addition, the Council expressed its strong condemnation of the attacks on a number of sisterly nations, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the State of Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and the Republic of Lebanon.

The Council confirmed its full solidarity with those nations, as well as its backing of everything that would reinforce their security and stability and safeguard their sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Council urged the public to adhere to the security and safety measures; to comply with all instructions and guidelines issued by the relevant authorities; and to collect information from official sources, thereby helping promote societal awareness and support the national efforts aimed at protecting the nation's security and stability.

Thereupon, HE Secretary-General of the Shura Council, Nayef bin Mohammed Al Mahmoud, read out the session's agenda. The Council then discussed the agenda items and took appropriate decisions thereon. It also adopted the minutes of the previous session. (QNA)