(MENAFN- Gulf Times) World leaders' suggestion to establish safe zones in Syria in a bid tackle the human tragedy taking place in the country reaffirms Qatar's long-held position on the matter.
In fact, Qatar was one of the first countries which proposed 'safe havens and buffer zones for the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Syrian civilians in places of fighting. The move is part of Qatar's diplomatic efforts in all UN and international forums related to the Syrian crisis to mobilise the required effort for the adoption of a political solution. The country has played a prominent role by taking part in the meetings of the International Syria Support Group which includes 17 countries and three international organisations which aims to formulate proposals that helps to stop the hostilities, transfer humanitarian aid, and find a political solution in Syria.
Qatar also participated in the meetings of the 'London Group in September last year, where it called on the international community to implement the UN resolutions to alleviate the sufferings of the Syrian people and achieve their aspirations for freedom and dignity.
At the Ministerial Meeting of the Global Coalition to Counter Terrorism held in Washington, DC last July, Qatar stressed that the continuation of the crisis in Syria and the absence of a political solution hampers all international efforts to eradicate terrorism.
In mid-October last year, HE the Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani called on members of the UN Security Council to put aside their geopolitical differences and fulfil their obligations to protect the lives of civilians, and urged the Council to establish 'safe havens in northern and southern Syria and immediately impose a no-fly zone.
In an article in The New York Times, under the title 'How Can The UN Save Aleppo, the Foreign Minister demanded implementation of Resolution 377A.
Qatar has consistently opposed efforts to divide Syria.
Now US President Donald Trump too has called for establishing safe zones in Syria aimed at stopping the flow of people fleeing the horrors of war.
Trump had earlier criticised the European Union's stance on receiving refugees, saying that 'safe zones will be an alternative for asylum and migration outside Syrian territories.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan too has renewed his call for the establishment of a safe zone in northern Syria, an area he says should be free from terrorists and should include a 'no-fly zone.
'Our objective here is (to establish) an area of at least 4,000, 5,000sq km free from terrorism, to create a safe zone, Erdogan said during a visit to Bahrain, echoing similar remarks in the past that the zone would alleviate the burden of accommodating Syrian refugees. The Turkish president added that the area would also require a 'no-fly zone.
With the humanitarian situation in Syria deteriorating by the day, it is imperative that the global community seriously considers Qatar's proposal to establish a ‘safe haven' in the war-torn country.
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