Russia, Qatar intend to intensify efforts to seek settlement of Syria problem
MOSCOW. Jan 18 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin and Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani agreed to intensify the efforts to seek a settlement of the Syria conflict, Qatari Foreign Minister Khalid Bin Mohammed al-Attiyah said.
"The leaders of the two countries agreed that it is necessary to seek a political settlement in Syria. Therefore, the leaders agreed to intensify the efforts to put an end to the hostilities, killings and famine among civilians," he told reporters, following the talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
"The sides also agreed to seek the Syrian people to be able to exercise their will, and for this the support of Arab countries, as well as international players, is needed," the Qatari minister said.
The leaders of the two countries shared the opinion that a delay in the settlement of the Syria crisis would only result in the exacerbation of the situation and the escalation of the inter-religious standoff.
"For our side, we reaffirmed that a split based on religious identity is unacceptable," the Qatari minister said.
"We reaffirm that Qatar does not support any form of violence and terrorism," Khalid Bin Mohammed al-Attiyah said.
Qatar believes that it is possible to put an end to terrorism only by bringing back people's rights.
The leaders of the two countries shared the opinion that Russia and Qatar could play a positive role in establishing stability and security in the region, the Qatari foreign minister said.
The Qatari minister also said that the sides have reaffirmed the need to make the Middle East an area free of weapons of mass destruction.
The sides have discussed the Palestinian problem, Khalid Bin Mohammed al-Attiyah said. "We believe that it is necessary to exert pressure in order to lift the illegal blockade from the Gaza Strip, stop the settlement-building activity on the West Bank and wind up the judaization of Jerusalem," he said.
The Qatari minister said that the talks focused on the Syria problem amid the exacerbation of the humanitarian situation for Syrians in many regions.
"We believe that the Syrian people were exposed to group punishment," the Qatari foreign minister said.