Minister for the Middle East Lord Ahmad is in Qatar today
(Sunday) to attend the Doha Forum and meet with senior partners
to discuss the ongoing crisis in Israel and Gaza.
Lord Ahmad will be attending the annual Doha Forum which will run
under the theme of “Building Shared Futures.” The Forum will host
discussions and panel events on key issues, including Afghanistan
and the conflict in Israel and Gaza given Qatar’s important role
as mediator between Israel and Hamas.
During the visit, the Minister is expected to meet with senior
Qatari leaders where he will reiterate the UK’s gratitude to
Qatar for their central role in facilitating humanitarian access
into Gaza which enabled more desperately needed aid to enter, as
well as securing the release of hostages.
He will also emphasise the UK’s commitment to working with
partners on preventing the crisis from spreading across the
region and delivering a viable two-state solution.
Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for the Middle
East, said:
I am pleased to be returning to Qatar following my recent visit
to reiterate the UK’s thanks to our Qatari partners for their
huge efforts in securing the recent humanitarian access into
Gaza.
It is absolutely critical that we now redouble our efforts to
facilitate unhindered and sustainable humanitarian access into
Gaza, further substantive agreements to bring respite and deliver
vital aid to civilians, and secure the release of hostages out of
Gaza.
I will be discussing with leaders in the region how we must work
together to find long term solutions to the conflict, to reduce
regional escalation and to progress towards a two-state solution
that secures peace for both Israelis and Palestinians.
In addition to his discussions on Israel and Gaza, Lord Ahmad
will also be meeting with policy leaders to discuss the situation
in Afghanistan focussing on humanitarian, development, security
and human rights issues.
Notes for editors:
- The Doha Forum is a platform for dialogue, the forum brings
together leaders in policy to discuss critical challenges facing
our world, and builds on innovative and action-driven networks to
address these challenges.
- Lord Ahmad also visited Qatar and Bahrain last month
(November 18 and 19) for discussions on the crisis in Israel and
the OPTs. In a speech at the Manama Dialogue to senior decision
makers from the region during his last visited, the Minister
reiterated urgent calls for agreements to allow for vital
humanitarian aid to be delivered, get hostages released and to
facilitate an end to hostilities as a pathway to deliver a viable
two state solution.
