Qatar PM Hopes Palestinian Authority Will Return to Gaza When War Ends

Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani speaks during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 21, 2025. (AFP)
Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani speaks during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 21, 2025. (AFP)
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Qatar PM Hopes Palestinian Authority Will Return to Gaza When War Ends

Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani speaks during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 21, 2025. (AFP)
Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani speaks during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 21, 2025. (AFP)

Qatar's Prime Minister said in Davos on Tuesday he hoped the Palestinian Authority would return to play a governing role in Gaza once the war with Israel comes to an end.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Switzerland, two days after the ceasefire Qatar helped broker came into effect in Gaza, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani cautioned that Gazans -- and not any other country -- should dictate the way the enclave will be governed.

"We hope to see the PA back in Gaza. We hope to see a government that will really address the issues of the people over there. And there is a long way to go with Gaza and the destruction," he said.

How Gaza will be governed after the war was not directly addressed in the deal between Israel and Hamas movement that led to an immediate ceasefire and hostage releases after nearly 15 months of talks mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the US.

Israel has rejected any governing role for Hamas, which ran Gaza before the war, but it has been almost equally opposed to rule by the Palestinian Authority, the body set up under the Oslo interim peace accords three decades ago that has limited governing power in the West Bank.

The PA, dominated by the Fatah faction created by former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, faces opposition from rival faction Hamas, which drove the PA out of Gaza in 2007 after a brief war.



UAE, Syrian FMs Discuss Regional Developments

United Arab Emirates Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani meet on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit 2025 in Dubai on Tuesday. (WAM)
United Arab Emirates Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani meet on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit 2025 in Dubai on Tuesday. (WAM)
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UAE, Syrian FMs Discuss Regional Developments

United Arab Emirates Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani meet on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit 2025 in Dubai on Tuesday. (WAM)
United Arab Emirates Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani meet on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit 2025 in Dubai on Tuesday. (WAM)

United Arab Emirates Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan received Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit 2025 in Dubai on Tuesday.

The officials discussed strengthening the long-standing relations between their countries and peoples, as well as ways to strengthen cooperation in areas of shared interest.

The discussions covered the situation in Syria, along with the latest regional developments.

Sheikh Abdullah reiterated the UAE’s firm stance in supporting Syria’s independence and sovereignty over its entire territories, standing by the Syrian people, and backing all efforts aimed at fulfilling their aspirations for lasting security, stability and a dignified life.

He emphasized the importance of advancing the path of reconstruction and development in Syria, and ensuring all necessary factors for security and stability to secure a promising future filled with opportunities for prosperity and well-being for its people.

The officials also discussed a range of issues related to the WGS 2025 and explored ways to leverage the event for strengthened international cooperation and support of the Sustainable Development Goals.