Qatar and France called Wednesday for an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza under agreed ceasefire arrangements and an end to Israeli settlement policies in the occupied West Bank, while urging a diplomatic solution to tensions involving Iran.
– The positions were outlined in a joint statement issued by Qatar’s Foreign Ministry following talks between Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and French President Emmanuel Macron in Doha during Macron’s Gulf tour.
– The two countries reaffirmed their opposition to any annexation of the occupied West Bank and called for an end to Israeli settlement policies and violence by Israeli settlers.
– They stressed the need to fully implement the Gaza ceasefire, including the withdrawal of Israeli forces under agreed arrangements and the urgent, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid.
– Both countries also reaffirmed their support for a two-state solution and Palestinian elections.
– On Iran, Qatar and France condemned Iranian military attacks on regional countries and called for a diplomatic solution to ensure the exclusively peaceful nature of Tehran’s nuclear program.
– They also urged the restoration of unrestricted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz without fees, while France praised Qatar’s mediation efforts to ease regional tensions.
– Regarding Lebanon, the two countries backed full implementation of the tripartite framework agreement to restore Lebanese sovereignty, disarm Hezbollah and secure a complete Israeli withdrawal.
– They also warned against a security vacuum following the end of the UN peacekeeping mission’s mandate, calling for continued international support for Lebanese authorities and armed forces.
– On Syria, both countries expressed readiness to jointly support stabilization and economic recovery projects in coordination with Syrian authorities.
– Beyond regional issues, Qatar and France agreed to expand defense, security and economic cooperation.
– Macron’s regional tour, which also included Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, aimed to strengthen strategic and economic partnerships and support efforts to restore regional stability and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.