Cairo / Information Office / March 03

HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said that the meetings of the regular session of the Arab League Council that were held today at the ministerial level discussed many issues and files related to the affairs of Arab countries.

At a joint press conference with HE Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit at the end of the 155th session of the Arab League Council at the ministerial level which was chaired by the State of Qatar, His Excellency said that there was agreement on many issues related to the joint Arab action, hoping that they represent a tangible beginning that meets the aspirations of the Arab peoples.

His Excellency described the atmosphere in which the meetings were held as positive, and congratulated HE Ahmed Aboul Gheit on the Council's approval to renew his appointment as Secretary-General for a second term, wishing him success.

HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said that they discussed many issues of concern to Arab countries, foremost among which is the Palestinian issue and joint Arab action.

Responding to a question on the relations between the State of Qatar and Turkey and Iran and the interference in the affairs of Arab countries, His Excellency said there is confusion between bilateral relations of countries and relations within the framework of the Arab League, and we reject interference in the internal affairs of the State of Qatar or that of any other country and each state has the right to preserve its security and sovereignty and take appropriate measures to achieve this.

On the Qatari-Egyptian relations and the meeting he held today with HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt Sameh Shoukry, HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said we attended the Al-Ula summit, and there was a declaration that ended the Gulf crisis, and there was a meeting between two delegations from Qatar and Egypt. We in the State of Qatar and the brothers in Egypt look at matters positively and strive for a return of warm relations. Today's meeting with Minister Shoukry was characterized by a positive spirit and optimism for the return of relations to normalcy.

Responding to a question about dealing with the new US administration and the position regarding the Palestinian issue, His Excellency reiterated Qatar's firm position in supporting the Palestinian cause within the framework of UN Security Council resolutions, international legitimacy decisions, the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the borders of June 4, 1967 with East Jerusalem as its capital, adding the Arab countries will deal positively with everyone who deals with the Palestinian issue in a positive way.

For his part, HE Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit announced that HE Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sabri Boukadoum informed him of Algeria's readiness and willingness to assume its responsibility to host the next Arab summit, indicating that the preparations for the summit have been completed but the problem lies in closure imposed by the Coronavirus (Covid-19) crisis.

His Excellency added that the pandemic complicates the situation regarding the convening of the Arab summit but all the preparations are ready, adding that they were waiting for the date that the Algerian side will give to the General Secretariat of the Arab League in order to inform Arab member states about it, hoping that it will be within a few months.