Doha, March 24 (QNA) - Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Majid bin Mohammed Al Ansari, has emphasized that the State of Qatar wasn't engaging in any direct mediation efforts between the United States of America and Iran.

He noted that Qatar fully supports all diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and end the war.

He added during the Foreign Ministry's weekly press briefing that there was currently no direct Qatari effort to mediate between the two parties.

He added that the State of Qatar was focusing instead on defending the country and addressing damage from the various attacks on the nation.

Dr. Al Ansari said that, since day one of the war, the State of Qatar's position has been crystal clear in terms of the necessity of ending it through diplomatic means, adding that it was a position that Qatar has been pursuing across all world conflicts.

He highlighted that all conflicts get resolved at the negotiating table, and that the sooner this happens, the fewer casualties there will be. 

Dr. Al Ansari reiterated that the State of Qatar backed all diplomatic efforts in this respect, whether through official or unofficial channels, as well as any effort that would ultimately bring the war to a close through diplomacy. He said that, as part of efforts to end the war, talks continue with countries in the region and internationally through multilateral meetings and international institutions.

Dr. Al Ansari further noted that Qatar will remain vigilant amid ongoing military operations, security, economic, and political fallout arising from them.

He added that this can be understood in two ways: the first was as an attempt to sow division and create the impression of disagreements between parties or fabricate non-existent alliances, and the second as an effort to undermine any potential opportunity for de-escalation.

Concerning coordination between the State of Qatar and the United States, Al Ansari asserted that Qatar was partnering with the American side and working fully to engage with the US to present the full picture, especially since the attack on the State of Qatar has engendered catastrophic consequences for the Qatari economy.

He said that the State of Qatar came under more than 200 missile attacks and a significant number of unmanned aerial vehicles, with over 90% of these attacks being countered.

The attack on gas facilities in Ras Laffan led to a 17% decline in production, while the scale of the losses was projected to reach approximately $100 billion over five years, with restoration efforts likely to take a similar time frame, he noted.

Al Ansari highlighted that the devastation in the energy sector did not impact Qatar alone, but would have broader fallout. He reiterated Qatar's condemnation of any attacks targeting energy facilities or infrastructure, stressing that these attacks were unprovoked.

Regarding the escalation and mutual threats, Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari indicated that the State of Qatar is communicating with the US administration to clarify the impact of the attacks and to coordinate to protect its territory, while emphasizing that Qatar reserves the right to respond and take appropriate measures in response to any attacks.

Regarding relations with Iran, he said that Iran is a country that has existed in this region since ancient times, and it will remain here, just as the other neighboring countries will remain. This war or any political event will not lead to the disappearance of these peoples, and all will remain neighbors in this region. Therefore, we must find ways to coexist.

He added that Qatar has been attacked, which has left an impact on the economy and the daily lives of individuals. Qatar does not underestimate such developments at all, but ultimately it must live alongside a people whose population exceeds 90 million.

He indicated that communication with Iran naturally depends on its stances and actions, especially regarding the attacks that countries in the region have been subjected to, saying that Iran must decide how it can rebuild the trust that was lost because it attacked Qatar's sovereignty.

Regarding regional affairs, Al Ansari said that one of the key outcomes of this war is that it revealed the breakdown of the concept of the regional security system in the Gulf region. This system was based on certain principles, and it became clear during the current war that many of these principles have been disregarded.

He added that the Gulf states, which are working in a parallel and coordinated manner to ensure their security, need a real reassessment of what the common regional security system means after this war. He also noted the Gulf defense partnerships that proved their effectiveness during this war.

He stressed that any end to this war or agreement resulting from it must take into account the national interests of the affected countries, and that these countries should have an active role in reshaping the regional security system in accordance with their strategic interests.

He indicated that this threat not only affects people, but also extends to include the land and economy in the region, which makes dealing with it in terms of national borders require joint regional cooperation.

The Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that coordination is ongoing between the State of Qatar and the countries of the region, and is based on three main pillars: ensuring a cessation of attacks, pushing for a diplomatic solution, and coordinating on escalation stances.

Regarding the military escalation, he stressed that there are no indications of an inevitable ground invasion of Iran, warning that continued escalation will not have positive results.

Regarding the internal situation, Al Ansari indicated that no attack had been recorded in the past few days that would warrant issuing warnings, while the state of vigilance and caution continues. He pointed out that the decision to return to work and resume studies is linked to the security situation and was based on security and strategic assessments, while emphasizing the need to adhere to the directives issued by the official authorities.

He affirmed that the State of Qatar had requested the departure of both the military attache and the security attache at the Iranian embassy in the country, through official diplomatic channels, in the context of the attack it had been subjected to.

He reiterated that the State of Qatar supports all diplomatic initiatives that could lead to an end to this crisis, even though it is not currently involved in any direct efforts. He noted that the State of Qatar is known for its various roles in mediation and dispute resolution, and this is not something new for it.

He pointed out that Qatari diplomatic efforts are still ongoing and effective in many other areas, and indicated that Qatar will not allow the current circumstances or any other circumstances to change the face of its foreign policy, as a peace-making state.

Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majed Al Ansari opened the press briefing by honoring the fallen martyrs of the nation from the heroes of Qatar's armed forces, their brothers in the joint Qatari-Turkish forces, and the collaborators who lost their lives following the crash of a helicopter while carrying out their national duty, embodying the highest meanings of sacrifice and dedication for the nation.

He added that this is an occasion to reaffirm that thousands of members of the Qatari Armed Forces and security personnel, alongside their brothers from the sisterly Turkish forces and various participants engaged in safeguarding this country, head daily to the frontlines of danger, placing their lives on the line to ensure the security and safety of everyone living on the soil of the State of Qatar.

This incident and the joint mission that brought together Qatari and Turkish blood, he continued, confirms that this partnership is not merely one between two countries, but rather a deeply rooted brotherhood and a religious and historical bond between the two peoples.

It reflects the depth of trust and military integration, alongside the humanitarian and Islamic brotherhood between them, noting that the mingling of Qatari and Turkish blood in this incident stands as a testament to the unity of destiny between the two sisterly nations.

While remembering the nation's men and honoring the martyrs, the Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the State of Qatar, through its military and security forces, is dedicated to ensuring the safety of all individuals living in this country and to protecting its unity and territorial integrity.

He also expressed Qatar's profound gratitude to these martyrs who fell in this incident, and affirmed that everyone living in this country has demonstrated during this crisis the utmost love for the nation and support for all that preserves its security and stability, and that we remain united in the face of risks.

Al Ansari pointed out that last Saturday, at 10:42 p.m., an AW139 helicopter, during a routine aerial sortie, experienced a technical malfunction while carrying out a standard mission, leading to its crash in the country’s territorial waters.

He stated that all those on board the helicopter were martyred: four members of the Qatari Armed Forces, Captain (Pilot) Mubarak Salem Daway Al Marri, Captain (Pilot) Saeed bin Nasser bin Smeikh, Sergeant Fahd bin Hadi Al Khayarin, and Warrant Officer Mohammed bin Maher Mohammed, in addition to Major Sinan Tashtekin from the joint Qatari-Turkish forces, and two civilian collaborators, Suleiman Cemra Kahraman and Ismail Anas Can from the Republic of Turkiye.

He noted that immediately following the incident, the competent authorities launched search and rescue operations in the country’s territorial waters, including maritime search and rescue teams of the General Directorate of Coasts and Borders Security, along with the Qatar International Search and Rescue Group of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya).

By the following morning, all the victims had been recovered, and funeral prayers were held in the presence of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, and State officials, in a deeply moving national scene reflecting the magnitude of the sacrifice. (QNA)