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Khalifa bin Mubarak Al Thani: The Qatari Regime Worked on Shattering the Family

Khalifa bin Mubarak bin Khalifa Al Thani (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Khalifa bin Mubarak bin Khalifa Al Thani (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Khalifa bin Mubarak Al Thani: The Qatari Regime Worked on Shattering the Family

Khalifa bin Mubarak bin Khalifa Al Thani (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Khalifa bin Mubarak bin Khalifa Al Thani (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The ruling Al Thani family in Qatar suffers from the risk of fragmentation and division, as many of its members are subjected to harsh practices because of their opposition to the regime’s policies. Many members have decided to emigrate or were forced to leave the country.

Khalifa bin Mubarak bin Khalifa Al Thani is among the family members, who left Qatar for rejecting the regime’s policies.

He told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Qatari ruling authorities were monitoring Al Thani’s young generation, fearing their union against the regime.

He also stressed that the Qatari regime’s hostility towards the “Gulf House” has negatively affected members of the ruling family. The emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad, took a number of measures in an attempt to contain the opposition from within the family.

“They ordered the shooting of Nasser bin Hamad, broke his leg, and poisoned Suhaim bin Hamad. Today, the situation is different, and I hope the young people of Al Thani family make the decision and seek to save Qatar,” Khalifa bin Mubarak said.

He explained that their opposition to the policies of the Qatari regime was not something new, but a reaction to its continued interference in some countries’ internal affairs, its enmity towards Gulf countries and its incessant attempt to distinguish between the Qatari citizens and the peoples of the Gulf.

“How can we support the Qatari regime, which calls for divisions within the Gulf and supports terrorism?” He asked, noting that the ruling authority has welcomed Turkish army on the Qatari territory
to protect the soil of our homeland.”

“We now feel that our territory has become a Turkish colony, and we are carrying out what foreigners dictate to us in order to protect the regime,” he affirmed.

Khalifa bin Mubarak also revealed that the Qatari state budget and its expenses “go to the West in exchange for protecting the regime”, while ignoring the people and the country’s development and stability.

He said that the “heavily armed” Turkish troops were stationed at around 500 meters from the residence of the ruling power. “On the other hand, the Qatari army, which is supposed to protect the state, the regime and the people no longer has any role within the territory,” he noted.

“The Qatari regime does not seek to establish an army of its own people, because it does not trust them… When it felt weak, it sought the help of the West and asked for the assistance of Turks and Iranians,” according to Khalifa bin Mubarak.

Underlining “the Qatari youth’s anger at the regime’s practices at home and abroad,” he stressed the need for a change that would bring about unity and solidarity among the people.

“What is happening in Qatar today is horrifying and threatens the future of the country at all levels, in terms of embracing all terrorist symbols from different places, supporting the subversive groups, in addition to the full submission to Turkey, which is increasing day by day in a humiliating and unacceptable manner,” he warned.

“The cleansing of Qatar, and the end of the boycott will only happen when the structure of the regime is changed,” Khalifa bin Mubarak affirmed.

“It is likely to hear of a coup within the Qatari regime. This was previously done by the former Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa, when he turned on his father and became the ruler,” he explained.

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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)

One of the UN’s top humanitarian officials in Lebanon, Imran Riza, has warned that the situation will worsen if the conflict continues, calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

He stressed that the ongoing war is placing immense strain on both the UN and the Lebanese government, as over a million people have been displaced. He said current needs exceed $400 million, but only 12% of that amount has been raised so far.

Worsening Crisis

Riza, who is the UN Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon, UN Resident, and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat. He described the past two weeks as “catastrophic” for civilians, with the crisis growing over the last year.

More than 600,000 people have been displaced and over a million affected, with 300,000 crossing the border, according to Riza.

Many of these people have been displaced more than once in search of safety. Riza emphasized that the war has severely impacted civilians, with more than a quarter of Lebanon's population affected.

The UN has been working to address the crisis, but Riza said resources are limited.

He stressed that the UN has been saying all year that it doesn’t have enough funds, even when there were only 110,000 displaced people.

Last week, the UN launched a $426 million appeal for urgent humanitarian aid, with 12% of the funding already secured.

Riza said more support is expected, with donor countries pledging additional help.

He also expressed gratitude for contributions from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which provided medical and relief supplies, and said the UN hopes to see more international assistance soon.

Working with the Government

The UN is working closely with the Lebanese government every day to provide shelter, food, healthcare, and water to those in need.

Cooperation with the government has been excellent, said Riza.

However, he acknowledged that the government’s capacity is weakened after five years of ongoing crises, which have also severely impacted the population.

People are less resilient than they were during the 2006 war, and the government and its institutions are weaker, affirmed Riza.

The UN is helping the government respond effectively, ensuring transparency and accountability, so that aid reaches those who need it, he added.

The UN is also collaborating with local and international NGOs that have gained experience from Lebanon’s recent crises, helping to ensure a more effective response. Shelters are also being monitored to prevent any abuse.

A Different Reality from 2006

The current situation in Lebanon is very different from the 2006 war. Politically, the country now has a caretaker government and no president, with much less international presence.

Back then, other countries were more involved, said Riza.

The 2006 war lasted only 33 days, but this conflict has dragged on for a year, he noted.

During recent visits to southern border areas, Riza said locals were asking when the war would end, as the situation has worsened significantly in the past two weeks.

Riza noted that, in the first week of the crisis, it was extremely difficult to respond, and even now, many displaced people remain without shelter.

The UN is working with the government to provide shelter, food, and healthcare, but it’s not easy, he noted.

Displacement Crisis

With winter approaching, Riza stressed the need to properly house displaced people, saying that people can’t be left without shelter.

There are also concerns over a lack of housing, clean water, and sanitation, as well as the risk of disease outbreaks. Despite these challenges, Riza praised the close cooperation between the UN, international organizations, and partners.

Many agencies are responding, he asserted.

Riza rejected any claims of discrimination between displaced groups, noting that both Lebanese and Syrians are currently staying in UNRWA schools. He added that talks with the government about sheltering displaced Syrians have been positive.

Riza also expressed concern about the school year and children’s education.

Prolonged Conflict

The United Nations sees no immediate solution to the humanitarian and military crisis in Lebanon, with Riza stressing that the solution must be political and diplomatic, but first, a ceasefire is needed.

While there is little optimism for an end to the conflict, Riza said, the UN is encouraged by the support from its partners, which helps the organization assist the displaced.

He mentioned the recent evacuation of 1,000 people from Ain Ebel and aid distribution in Tyre, emphasizing the need to ensure that they reach those in need.

Riza called on all sides to respect international and humanitarian laws, allowing safe access for aid workers.

He condemned violations, including the deaths of firefighters, health workers, civil defense staff, and UN personnel, adding that the toll on civilian and health infrastructure is growing.