Doha, May 14 (QNA) - Mediation to resolve conflicts through peaceful means, dialogue, and preventive diplomacy is a top priority in the State of Qatar's foreign policy and a constitutional commitment. Article 7 of the Permanent Constitution, issued in 2003, states that: "The foreign policy of the State is based on the principles of strengthening international peace and security by means of encouraging the peaceful resolution of international disputes, supporting the right of peoples to self-determination, not interfering in the domestic affairs of other states, and cooperating with all peaceloving nations."

The State of Qatar has adhered to these principles and has led successful mediation efforts since 2004, which resulted in the resolution of conflicts and the release of hostages in various parts of the world. These mediations have focused on a range of issues, including ceasefires, the restoration of diplomatic relations, prisoner exchanges, support for national dialogues, resolution of border disputes, enhancement of humanitarian efforts, and the conclusion of peace agreements in many regional and international conflicts.

The State of Qatar has chosen this role out of a belief that mediation is the best solution to prevent the eruption or escalation of conflicts and the growing number of casualties and the increasing human, economic, and developmental costs they incur. Accordingly, it has played an active role in promoting mediation in coordination and cooperation with the international community, represented by the United Nations Security Council and General Assembly, and friendly countries, foremost among them the United States of America.

Qatar's mediation has successfully brought about positive resolutions to many crises and regional problems in recent years. Qatar's record of mediation is rich with accomplishments, whether in resolving conflicts between disputing countries, political groups, armed factions, or opposition forces.

The reasons behind Qatar's success lie in its diplomatic capabilities and strong relations with all parties, in addition to the significance it places in this field.

The State of Qatar also successfully mediated, in coordination with the United States and the Arab Republic of Egypt, an agreement for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip between the Israeli entity and the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas in January 2025, which included a prisoner and detainee exchange. The ceasefire lasted two months. Despite the Israeli entity's resumption of its aggression on the Strip, Qatar's mediation efforts are ongoing, in line with the State's commitment to finding a solution to end the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza.

Prior to that, in late November 2023, a humanitarian truce was reached in the Gaza Strip for four days, extendable, mediated by Qatar in partnership with Egypt and the United States. The agreement generally stipulated the exchange of 50 civilian women and children hostages in Gaza in the first phase, in return for the release of a number of Palestinian women and children held in Israeli prisons, with plans to increase the number of released individuals in subsequent phases of implementation.

The truce also allowed for increased entry of humanitarian aid convoys and relief assistance, including fuel designated for humanitarian needs.

Doha has also made many efforts to mediate disputes around the world through dialogue and diplomacy, from Sudan to Yemen, through Chad, Djibouti, Eritrea, Afghanistan, and other regions where Qatari mediation has had a prominent presence and great success.

One of the most notable achievements of Qatari mediation in recent years was the peace agreement signed between the United States and the Taliban movement in late February 2020, under which US forces withdrew from Afghanistan, ending a 19-year war. 

On Dec. 20, 2023, the State of Qatar announced the success of its mediation between the United States of America and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in securing a prisoner exchange.

Under the mediation, the Republic of Venezuela released 10 American prisoners in exchange for the release of a Venezuelan prisoner by the United States, following a series of mediation sessions between the two sides.

In August 2023, the State of Qatar also successfully mediated a prisoner swap agreement between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran. The agreement included the release of five Iranians detained in the United States and the unfreezing of US6 billion in Iranian funds.

On March 27, the US Department of State praised Qatar's efforts in facilitating the release of American citizen Faye Hall, who was freed from Afghanistan.

The US Department of State said on its website that the United States is pleased to welcome home Faye Hall, the American citizen released from Afghanistan over the weekend, expressing their sincere gratitude to the Government of Qatar for its support of Americans in need.

A week earlier, on March 20, 2025, Qatar announced that it had facilitated the release of American citizen George Gleesman, who had been held in Afghanistan. He arrived in Doha before departing later for his home country.

HE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi expressed the State of Qatar's appreciation for the fruitful cooperation shown by both the Afghan caretaker government and the United States of America. His Excellency emphasized that Qatar consistently seeks to activate mediation efforts to find peaceful solutions to complex international disputes and conflicts, based on the principles of its foreign policy, which prioritizes dialogue as a strategic choice to enhance regional and international security and stability.

Qatari mediation has contributed to strengthening the distinguished relations between Doha and Washington. The United States has praised Qatar's role in maintaining international peace and security and promoting a culture of dialogue and quiet diplomacy.

Qatar's mediation efforts also helped reunite children separated by the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia from February 2022.

On March 18, Doha hosted a trilateral meeting between HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, HE President Paul Kagame of the Republic of Rwanda, and HE President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The leaders welcomed the progress achieved in the Luanda and Nairobi processes, as well as the joint summit of the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on Feb. 8, 2025. The leaders affirmed all parties' commitment to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire as agreed at the summit. They agreed on the need to continue the discussions initiated in Doha to build solid foundations for sustainable peace, as outlined in the merged Luanda and Nairobi processes.

HE President Paul Kagame of the Republic of Rwanda, and HE President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo expressed their gratitude to the State of Qatar and to HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, for the warm hospitality and for hosting this fruitful meeting, which helped build trust between the two nations and a mutual commitment to a secure and stable future for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region.

Due to the impartiality and integrity of its mediation efforts, the State of Qatar has proven itself to be a trusted partner at both regional and international levels and has taken on an active role in fostering peace and promoting security and stability in the region and the world. (QNA)