Emir of Qatar Discusses with Macron Future of Palestinian Cause

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, left, shakes hands with French President Emmanuel Macron during a state dinner at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024. (AP)
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, left, shakes hands with French President Emmanuel Macron during a state dinner at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024. (AP)
TT

Emir of Qatar Discusses with Macron Future of Palestinian Cause

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, left, shakes hands with French President Emmanuel Macron during a state dinner at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024. (AP)
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, left, shakes hands with French President Emmanuel Macron during a state dinner at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024. (AP)

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani said on Tuesday he discussed with French President Emmanuel Macron the future of the Palestinian cause, saying it was the “cornerstone of Qatar's international and regional concerns.”

The leaders met in Paris during Sheikh Tamim’s two-day official state visit to France.

In a post on his official X account, Sheikh Tamim said he held “fruitful talks” with Macron on strengthening “our strategic partnership in accordance with a comprehensive bilateral cooperation that elevates our common aspirations.”

“We discussed the future of the Palestinian cause as it is the cornerstone of Qatar's international and regional concerns, and we are exerting every effort to stop the war in Gaza and deliver aid to our brothers,” he added, according to the Qatari state news agency (QNA).

“The world sees a genocide of the Palestinian people. Hunger, forced displacement, savage bombardments are used as weapons. And the international community still hasn't managed to adopt a unified position to end the war in Gaza and provide the strict minimum of protection for children, women and civilians,” he later added at a dinner banquet thrown by Macron in his honor.

Sheikh Tamim had arrived in Paris on Tuesday to meet senior officials and bolster cooperation between Qatar and France and tackle regional and international issues of interest.



Saudi Arabia Pursues Efforts to Quell Sudan Crisis

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji at the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan (SPA)
Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji at the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan (SPA)
TT

Saudi Arabia Pursues Efforts to Quell Sudan Crisis

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji at the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan (SPA)
Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji at the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan (SPA)

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji reaffirmed the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to resolve the Sudanese crisis. He expressed Saudi Arabia’s openness to international initiatives aimed at bringing peace to Sudan.
At the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan, held in Djibouti, Al-Khuraiji discussed the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to resolve the Sudanese crisis.
He mentioned that Saudi Arabia, in partnership with the United States, facilitated talks between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, leading to the Jeddah Declaration on May 11, 2023, which aimed to protect civilians.
Al-Khuraiji also noted the continuation of talks with the involvement of the African Union and IGAD, emphasizing Saudi Arabia’s support for African-led solutions.
He reiterated Saudi Arabia’s commitment to restoring stability in Sudan and urged all parties to act with wisdom, show restraint, and support positive initiatives.
Al-Khuraiji also met with EU Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, Annette Weber, on the sidelines of the consultative meeting.
In separate meetings, he also met with the UN Envoy for Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra, and US Special Envoy for Sudan, Tom Perriello.
During these meetings, they reviewed the latest developments in Sudan, explored ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation, and discussed topics of mutual interest.
The Sudanese Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum) expressed support for international and regional meetings, hoping they would bring positive results to ease the suffering of the Sudanese people.
They urged the need that discussions focus on ensuring humanitarian aid reaches those in need, protecting civilians, and achieving an immediate ceasefire.
Taqaddum highlighted the importance of international legal frameworks for civilian protection and safe passageways during the conflict.
They called on international and regional partners to quickly bring both sides back to negotiations, build on the Jeddah agreements, and secure a binding ceasefire with effective monitoring.
Taqaddum also stressed the need for a unified negotiation platform to achieve peace.