Qatari Opposition Meets in London

Spokesperson for the Qatari opposition Khalid al-Hail. Asharq Al-Awsat
Spokesperson for the Qatari opposition Khalid al-Hail. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Qatari Opposition Meets in London

Spokesperson for the Qatari opposition Khalid al-Hail. Asharq Al-Awsat
Spokesperson for the Qatari opposition Khalid al-Hail. Asharq Al-Awsat

As Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani arrives in Ankara on Thursday, Qatar’s opposition plans to hold a conference in London in the presence of world-renowned figures.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, organizers said the conference’s schedule was set in great secrecy because of concerns that the Qatari regime would try to foil the event and exert pressure on members of the British parliament to boycott it.

The conference will be attended by several world-renowned political figures, policymakers, academics and commentators who will discuss human rights, press freedom and counter-terrorism in Qatar.

The Qatar Global Security & Stability Conference will also highlight “the true facts about Qatar that are not being voiced because of the power wielded by the current regime in Qatar.”

Spokesperson for the Qatari opposition, Khalid al-Hail said that the conference will be divided into five main sessions: Political Islam and terrorism support in Qatar, Qatar and Iran’s Foreign Policy: A Source for Regional Instability, Al Jazeera: Free Press vs. Voice of terror?, A forbidden debate: Qatar’s Aspirations for Global Prestige, Democracy and Human Rights, and finally, A Vicious Circle: Economy, Geopolitics and Global Energy Security.

The conference will be held as Qatar’s Emir is scheduled to hold talks in Ankara on Thursday with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the latest developments of the Qatari crisis, according to a statement issued by the Turkish presidency.
  
On Wednesday, Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah met with Erdogan in Ankara during a visit to Turkey that will last until next Saturday.

Turkish sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Erdogan and the Kuwaiti premier raised the issue of the Qatari crisis with the four anti-terror Arab States in addition to Kuwait’s efforts exerted to solve the rift.



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)
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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.