Doha, May 12 (QNA) - The State of Qatar condemned the hijacking of an oil tanker carrying Egyptian sailors from the Yemeni territorial waters, and its diversion toward Somali territorial waters near Puntland region.

The State of Qatar described the hijacking as a blatant violation of international law and a serious threat to maritime navigation security and international trade routes.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed the State of Qatar's full solidarity with the sisterly Arab Republic of Egypt and with the families of the sailors, and emphasized the importance of ensuring their safety and security and accelerating the process of their release.

The Ministry also called for concerted international efforts to ensure the security of maritime navigation and freedom of passage in international waterways, considering it a fundamental pillar of regional and global security and stability. (QNA)