QATAR: Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jasim bin Jabr al-Thani says the Arab League backs Kofi Annan on Syria peace mission and denies Qatar is arming Syrian rebels

Record ID: 280617

  • Title: QATAR: Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jasim bin Jabr al-Thani says the Arab League backs Kofi Annan on Syria peace mission and denies Qatar is arming Syrian rebels
  • Date: 18th April 2012
  • Summary: DOHA, QATAR (APRIL 17, 2012) (REUTERS) QATARI PRIME MINISTER SHEIKH HAMAD BIN JASIM BIN JABR AL-THANI AND ARAB LEAGUE CHIEF NABIL ELARABY ARRIVE AT NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) QATARI PRIME MINISTER, SHEIKH HAMAD BIN JASIM BIN JABR AL-THANI, SAYING: "We hope to be mistaken, but we have not noticed any change in the way Syria is tackling the current situation."
  • Embargoed: 3rd May 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Qatar, Qatar
  • Country: Qatar
  • Topics: Conflict,International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVABMM1PB9OB80LLI3NGQ0DFFRAD
  • Story Text: Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jasim bin Jabr al-Thani denied on Tuesday (April 17) that Qatar was arming rebels in Syria.
    Al-Thani said that while he supported Kofi Annan's six-point plan for a Syrian ceasefire there had been no changes to the Syrian government's crackdown on a yearlong popular uprising.
    "We hope to be mistaken, but we have not noticed any change in the way Syria is tackling the current situation."
    The comments came after Arab League ministers met U.N.-Arab special envoy Kofi Annan in Doha.
    Arab League chief Nabil Elaraby said violence had decreased in Syria but had not stopped completely.
    "When we have assigned Arab observers, violence has lightened. As stated in their report, which is often misinterpreted, violence has stopped but not completely and immediately."
    Elaraby added that it was important for the Syrian opposition to unify and for the Syrian National Council to be seen as a key negotiator and an 'umbrella' for the opposition.
    Russia said on Tuesday that unspecified external forces were undermining envoy Kofi Annan's peace effort in Syria and support for government foes posed a threat to a fragile ceasefire.
    Al-Thani said while he did not bear doubts over Russia's intentions he advised all parties to act with responsibility and avoid bias.
    "Arab populations believe that Russia must support them. I have no doubt about Russian intentions, but I do advise that everyone must tackle this matter with a sense of responsibility, far from personal interests and bias. We must investigate about the truth. A whole population is uprising against its government and many cities are being bombarded on a daily basis," said the Qatari Prime Minister.
    Qatar and Saudi Arabia have said it is time to arm the Free Syrian Army with weapons to combat Syria's powerful, Russian-armed forces. Al-Thani said self-defence was legitimate at this stage but denied that Qatar was arming rebels.
    "We know very well that self-defence is legitimate. But to answer questions about Qatar arming opposition, I will say that we have not armed the opposition," he said, adding that Qatar was supportive of Annan's peace efforts.
    "If the situation is not resolved soon, we have to help the Syrian people defend themselves. But we do hope that Kofi Annan will succeed in his ceasefire efforts, implement his six-point proposal and initiate political talks to transfer power peacefully as per the Arab League resolutions which are the essence of Kofi Annan's U.N. mandate."
    Other Arab League states say arming opposition fighters would tip the crisis into all-out civil war threatening the wider region.
    Earlier on Tuesday Annan delivered a status report to the League, which has suspended Syria as a member, and discussion focused on how to enhance the mission, according to a League delegate who declined to be named.
    The peace plan calls for the withdrawal of heavy weapons and troops from population centres, humanitarian assistance, the release of prisoners and free movement and access for journalists.
    It does not hinge on Assad leaving office.
    U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said on Tuesday that the observer mission may need to bring in its own aircraft and deploy more troops to ensure that a firm ceasefire takes hold.
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