Al-Sharq, The Peninsula: Security of Afghan People, Bringing Stability a Top Priority

Doha, August 17 (QNA) - Al-Sharq and The Peninsula newspapers affirmed in its editorials Tuesday that the security of the Afghan people and the establishment of stability and peace in Afghanistan are a top priority, in order to pave the way towards a comprehensive political settlement to achieve lasting security and stability in the country. The two newspapers urged preserving the political gains resulting from the meetings that took place in Doha between the Afghan parties, to reassure the Afghan interior and the need to give the Afghan people an opportunity to decide their future by themselves, away from external interventions that have led to nothing but wars, destruction, and loss of life for more than four decades. Al-Sharq newspaper said in its editorial that the world is following the amazing transformations in the Afghan scene following the departure of President Ashraf Ghani and Afghan politicians from the capital Kabul, and the resulting power vacuum, which the Taliban are trying to fill, referring to the chaotic scenes' at Kabul airport. The paper stressed on the need for a peaceful transition of power, a comprehensive political settlement and the establishment of stability as soon as possible in a country that has not known stability for more than four decades, pointing to the assertion of HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani that it is important to preserve the political gains of the meetings, held in Doha between Afghan parties, to reassure the Afghan interior and for the safe exit of Western diplomats wishing to leave Afghanistan as a message to the international community. The paper pointed out that that reassuring the Afghan people after the panic that appeared in the scenes of Kabul airport is a challenge for the Afghan parties, especially the Taliban, to confirm their keenness on a peaceful settlement and achieving national reconciliation between the various factions. Al-Sharq concluded that the Taliban which ruled the country from 1996 until 2001 is different from the Taliban who today return to rule Afghanistan with the logic of partnership, not domination, and that it is necessary to dispel the fears of the Afghan street, to cooperate with the international community, and to respect all international charters and laws that regulate international relations. In turn, The Peninsula newspaper affirmed on Tuesday that the State of Qatar is still continuing its efforts to bring lasting peace and stability to Afghanistan, under the mediation it led between the United States and the Taliban that culminated in signing of the Doha Agreement on February 29, 2020. The Qatari daily referred to the statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which called for an immediate, comprehensive and permanent ceasefire in all Afghan territories and stressed the need to work urgently for a peaceful transfer of power that would pave the way for a comprehensive political settlement and it should include all Afghan parties to achieve lasting security and stability in the country. The paper underlined that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated the commitment of the State of Qatar to continue working with the United Nations and international partners to realize lasting peace in Afghanistan to fulfil the aspirations of its people for security, stability and development. Qatar's call is consistent with the calls made yesterday by the members of the UN Security Council and a call made by the Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urging the Taliban and all other parties to exercise utmost restraint to protect lives and ensure that humanitarian rights can be addressed, the newspaper added. In conclusion, The Peninsula said that it is a time to rebuild what has been destroyed during years of conflicts with sanity and national consensus and get refugees and displaced persons back to their homes and meet aspirations of new generations. (QNA)