Newspapers Hail International Appreciation for Qatar's Efforts in Dealing with Situation in Afghanistan

Doha, August 22 (QNA) - In their editorials Sunday, Qatari newspapers highlighted the international appreciation received by the State of Qatar from many countries of the world. In this regard, the newspapers referred to the telephone conversation HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani held Friday with HE President of the United States Joe Biden, who expressed his thanks to HH the Amir for the State of Qatar's contribution to the evacuation of civilians and the country's efforts in the peace process in Afghanistan. The newspapers stressed the important role played by the State of Qatar in the evacuation of civilians, based on the need to create an atmosphere of security and stability that alone would push for a political solution in Afghanistan that meets the aspirations and interests of the Afghan people, after many years of wars that claimed many innocent lives. In its editorial, Al-Sharq noted the international appreciation for the State of Qatar's great role in the efforts made to deal with the current situation in Afghanistan, in its political and humanitarian aspects. The newspaper pointed out that in light of a state of global concern, the State of Qatar, by dealing with the latest developments in the Afghan scene, took the initiative to mobilize its air fleet of the Amiri Air Force as C-17 planes safely evacuated hundreds of Afghan citizens, students, foreign diplomats and journalists from Afghanistan, in addition to the important logistical services for crisis management, noting that Doha has turned into a global center and a destination for many major countries to coordinate crisis management efforts in Afghanistan, whether with regard to the humanitarian aspect, evacuations and logistical services, or the political aspect related to the participation in intensive international efforts and contacts with regard to the situation in Afghanistan. The paper underlined that through its diplomacy in containing conflicts and calming tensions, and through its humanitarian role, Doha has established its position in the world as a reliable international partner until it has become one of the most influential capitals in the region, thanks to the country's foreign policy, political weight, mediation efforts, facilitation of dialogue and its belief in diplomacy in resolving complex conflicts. In conclusion, Al-Sharq affirmed that the State of Qatar will spare no effort to support the Afghan people, as it continues its international commitments that go beyond negotiations to reach a political consensus that secures stability in Afghanistan and in line with the gains achieved by the Afghan people, and a joint coordination with the United Nations and many governments in the evacuation operations and the protection of civilians. Al-Watan newspaper said that HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani held Friday via telephone a conversation with President of the United States of America Joe Biden, during which they reviewed developments in the region, particularly the latest developments in Afghanistan, and the importance of protecting civilians, the peaceful transition of power, and de-escalating tensions towards a comprehensive political solution that guarantees security and stability to benefit the Afghan people. The US President also expressed his thanks to HH the Amir for Qatar's contribution to the evacuation of civilians and the country's efforts in the peace process in Afghanistan, the newspaper added. Senior US officials during the last period, also expressed their thanks and gratitude to HH the Amir and the State of Qatar for the valuable efforts and the vital role in easing the tension in Afghanistan, in addition to the important role that Qatar has played in evacuating civilians, based on its sense of the need to establish an atmosphere of security and stability that will push for a political solution in Afghanistan that meets the aspirations and interests of the Afghan people, Al-Watan noted. The phone call between HH the Amir and the US President also reflects the nature of the strategic relations between the two friendly countries and stresses the importance of the role that Qatar plays as an honest broker, the newspaper added. Al-Watan concluded by saying that since the dramatic developments in Afghanistan, Qatar has become a major center of global diplomacy, thanks to its tireless efforts and rapid moves to push for solutions that take into account the interests of the Afghan people and to ensure the restoration of security and stability to this country. In turn, Al-Raya daily newspaper praised, in its Sunday's editorial, the tremendous efforts made by the State of Qatar in facilitating and securing evacuation process from Afghanistan in coordination with international partners, which were appreciated by international organizations and the international media that thanked Qatar for its response as well. The newspaper said that while the world was busy with the developments of the situation in Afghanistan and observing the scenes of thousands of Afghans and foreigners piled up at Kabul airport, Qatar was working hard to supervise transportation and evacuation process, and provide humanitarian services and support to facilitate the departure of Afghan civilians, foreign diplomats, journalists, and students from educational institutions, as a commitment from Qatar to support the security and stability of Afghanistan. The paper pointed out that since the recent developments in Afghanistan, the State of Qatar's position has been clear by calling for the urgent need to work on a peaceful transfer of power that paves the way for a comprehensive political settlement that includes all Afghan parties and achieves security and stability in the country, adding that Qatar has stressed on the need to ensure the safety of civilians in all Afghan territories, and reiterated its commitment to continue working with the United Nations and international partners to bring lasting peace to Afghanistan to achieve the aspirations of its people for security, stability and development. In conclusion, Al-Raya affirmed that the time has come for the Afghans to build their state, expressing its conviction that the State of Qatar will continue its efforts in Afghanistan through evacuation process and full support in order to complete a comprehensive settlement and avoid a political and security vacuum. The Peninsula English newspaper, affirmed that the key role of the State of Qatar in the ongoing global discussions and efforts for peaceful transition of power in Afghanistan is not a role emerging from the Taliban's swift takeover of the country but it goes a long way back as the country facilitated many rounds of talks between the United States and Taliban representatives in Doha. The paper said that Qatar has hosted numerous rounds of talks between the Taliban and representatives of the Afghan government since September 2020 with an aim of reaching a political solution to the protracted conflict. As major actors of the world have been relying on Qatar's pivotal role in restoring peace and stability in Afghanistan, Qatar is witnessing extensive contacts and discussions with various world leaders and top diplomats from across the world, as HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani discussed on Friday via a telephone conversation with HE President of the United States of America Joe Biden the latest developments in Afghanistan, strategic bilateral relations and the scope for expanding and enhancing them, the paper said. The US President expressed his thanks to HH the Amir for the State of Qatar's contribution to the evacuation of civilians and the ongoing peace process in Afghanistan, the paper added. As many countries are struggling to speed up the pace of evacuations of their citizens and vulnerable Afghans amid the chaos, the two leaders stressed the importance of protecting civilians, the peaceful transition of power, and de-escalating tensions towards a comprehensive political solution that guarantees security and stability to benefit the Afghan people, the paper underlined. The strong Qatar-US strategic ties and partnership require constant coordination at all levels of security, defence and diplomacy to ensure security and stability in the region, a fact confirmed by a number of meetings of HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah with top US defence officials, including the US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin, as they reviewed bilateral military relations between the two nations and ways to strengthen them, The Peninsula concluded. (QNA)