Doha, March 7 (QNA) - The Ministry of Justice discussed today that the objectives and legal procedures associated with the letters sent by the State of Qatar to the United Nations Security Council regarding developments related to the Iranian attack on the country’s territory, affirming that these letters fall within the framework of compliance with the provisions of the United Nations Charter and the preservation of international peace and security.

In a series of posts on its official account on the platform X, the ministry said that the State of Qatar had sent several letters to the United Nations and the Security Council to inform them of developments related to the attack on its territory, noting that Qatar requested that these messages be circulated as official documents of the Security Council.

The ministry noted that sending such letters aims to formally notify the international community of the attack. A message is submitted to the Security Council, which is responsible for maintaining international peace and security under Article 24 of the United Nations Charter, and the notification is recorded among the official documents of the United Nations.

Regarding the importance of circulating the letter as an official Security Council document, the ministry noted that this step carries important legal and diplomatic implications within the framework of the United Nations, as it contributes to formally recording and documenting the armed attack against the state in the organization’s records, informing members of the Security Council of the state’s position and its account of events, and allowing the letter to be relied upon later in legal or diplomatic proceedings. It also helps establish the state’s legal position and record its official protest, while strengthening political and diplomatic support for its stance at the international level.

The ministry also noted that one of the legal aspects associated with such letters is the invocation of the right of self-defense. A state often refers in its letter to Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, which recognizes the right of states to self-defense in the event of an armed attack, provided that the Security Council is immediately informed of the measures taken in exercising this right. The letter may therefore notify the Council of the state’s intention to exercise its right to self-defense or indicate that defensive measures have already been taken in response to the attack.

With regards to requesting action from the Security Council, the ministry said that the letters may call on the Council to assume its responsibilities in accordance with the provisions of Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, particularly Articles 39, 41, and 42. Such action could include convening an emergency meeting, condemning the attack, or taking measures aimed at preventing escalation or holding the aggressor accountable. The ministry further also said that these letters were not confined to their legal aspects but also served as an important diplomatic tool for presenting and managing the state’s political narrative before the international community. They typically identify the party responsible for the attack, outline the extent of the damage and its consequences, and clarify the state’s position regarding escalation or the defensive measures it may be compelled to take.

The Ministry of Justice concluded that sending letters to the Security Council constitutes a legal and diplomatic measure that combines formal notification, legal documentation of the incident, invocation of the right of self-defense, and a request for international action to safeguard international peace and security, in accordance with the provisions of the United Nations Charter and the rules of international law. (QNA)