Washington is becoming somewhat familiar to you. I have to say, however, it is a little difficult to understand his region. Things are constantly happening. In addition to qatar, there is a small state called saudi arabia. There is another small state called iran. It is a very important and very , and we haven brought our guest here to explain to us what is going on. My impression was as far as lebanons concern, you found some reasons for concern. You can speak from here or speak from here, whatever you prefer. Good morning, everybody, and thank you for hosting me this morning. , lately,d gentlemen the world watches the news and sees images from my region which are full of drama and discord. It was not always that way. Prosperitya place of thanks to shared effort to coexist. That time was lost to a dark period of closemindedness, totalitarianism, and aggression. The region went from a center of conductivity and enlightenment. O being a region of turbulence aggression,ge of extremism have flourished. Government seeking domination, intimidatingower smaller countries into submission. The is not happening in distant past. Its happening right now. The illegal blockade launched against my country six months move in an one aggressive powerplay. The blockade was not really about demands or ultimatums but rather about modern day powerful regimes threatening freedom, liberty, and sovereignty. Ladies and gentlemen, these threats are being played out in a dangerous game of power against many nations in the region, against yemen, somalia, libya, and now lebanon. Aggression gone wild. Powers areese willing to use unbridled means intimidation, silencing centers, creating humanitarian crises, shutting down communication, manipulating financial markets, blackmailing, fracturing governments, terrifying citizens, strongarming the leaders of other nations, and spreading propaganda. All the while, some journalists tanks sacrifice their integrity for favor the way to seek peace would be through International Collaboration and sharing. Changesmented policy that we thought would be represented in our region, and we ended up being correct. The right to have independent foreign policies that might differ from our neighbors has been hard to achieve for the past two decades. The punishment for independence has begun. The public reason given by the blockading states for the Current Crisis is and was a smokescreen. Qatar is actually a Global Leader in the fight against terrorism, and the blockading states are well aware of this reality. Crisis is and was a blockade against my country in their attempt to choke our efforts to resist the centralization of power in the region. Ladies and gentlemen, what aarted six months ago as crisis today looks much worse. I visit the u. S. With the perspective of more crisis unfolding every day in my region. The blockading state has been truth,to twist the flooding the media with the greatest lies about my country. Little did we know that behind the scenes, the effort of the blockading state ran deeper. Cyber attacks, market the plot ofs, and economic ruin for qatar. The disrespect of International Law and the absence of Enforcement Mechanisms made our and experimental field for power seekers. Regional players are acting irresponsibly, taking political gambles with the lives of other nations citizens with no exit strategy. Prevails. Isdom aid for starving children is being used as leverage. While the atrocities of syria are being tolerated and in the way that yemen is being put in a meaningless stalemate, now these make their attempt in lebanon. , as systematic behavior reckless passion for seeking power with a complete disregard for the suffering left in their wake. That suffering includes lost opportunities. The blockading states who are among the power players are in the region have systematic behavior which distracts the u. S. , qatar, and all our Global Partners from our antiterrorism efforts. The blockading states hunger for power and their unpredictability. These power players are helping terrorism thrive. These are not blockading states run by institutions with checks and balances. But by individuals who seek a range ofgh techniques from Cyber Attacks to global incitement. I can share with you as a native of this turbulent region, those who seek power create crisis. The political maneuvering and aggressive counterproductive measures damage Regional Security, allowing a vacuum for to fill. S the dark age of the middle east is at our doorstep. We share the u. S. And international communitys concern for Regional Security when reckless leadership takes hold in the middle east. He aggression must and end so where do we go from here . Problembe adding to the if i failed to offer constructive suggestions for the past forward. While we are a tiny nation, we have undergone enormous changes over the past 20 years. We are a work in progress, but i theed to share some of lessons we learned from qatar and within qatar. One, practice good governance. For there to be trust built between people and their leaders , a social contract must be formed. Through only be created the specter dignity of each citizen. Transparent leadership and investment in Human Capital sows the seeds of future prosperity. To conduct reformation with moderation, reform should and eachsly happen, nation has the right to define its culture and and decide what change is needed. What to preserve, what to advance, and what to change takes thoughtful leadership. Reform through forced stalemate creates a ticking bomb. Extreme reform forced into population creates a bitter backlash. Through moderation inspires wise reforms reformation through moderation inspires wise and loving reforms. War and violence creates suffering. Tragedy unfolds where needless suffering could have been avoided through peaceful means. We can find ways to live together peacefully, and at the trying. St, we must keep in qatar, we believe in these principles and have worked to achieve them. We see these values played out here in the United States and with our other international partners, and that is why we form alliances with them. , i hope that the powerful players in my region seeking domination and control of other countries those powerful nations seek instead to serve their neighbors. We want the middle east to flourish. We want a peaceful coexistence with the east and west can come together and were qatar can serve as a hinge of peace and a more enlightened time. Thank you very much. Thank you, mr. Minister. It was a very powerful presentation. I would like to start with a difficult question. If statement regarding the saudi position on lebanon, in particular, the x lebanese prime minister. Can you explain your view of you go pened i cannot give you the two sides of the story, but what i can tell you, what we hear from the lebanese and what we are watching and how we are assessing this step being taken, resignation of the prime minister, the head of state of Different Countries withoutferent cities awareness in his government or is an his leadership intervention in the internal affairs of lebanon, not allowing him to come back to his country. Also an intervention in the country, i fear. Once we see that this , this is the risk we have in the region. That powerful countries are trying to take control of other nations. That the have a system difference or power will be consolidated in one or two countries. This cannot be accepted in the 21st century. Any tryhy we see that against any other country in the region to fall into submission will present a growing risk for everybody not in the region but in the world. Its a very interesting document, very ambitious. That theyvers suggest did not expect that you would comply. Do you agree . Mainly, what we saw, there is a desire for to compromise the sovereignty of the company of saudi. Demands, a clear presentation for the attitude. Interfering in the country and imposing dishes ends decisions on company on countries is not ok and is undermining the entire world order. When we have big countries trying to impose those demand. It means they want to maintain this and stability for other reasons, which we do not know. Also, let us look at it from a different angle. Where we see whole countries are imposing demand on other independent countries. It cannot happen. They have to come and discuss their concerns, but not impose demand or ask for something from an independent nation. This cannot happen. We need to change this understanding from countries that are in a position to impose a demand on other countries, to a position where there are concerns. They need to be arbitrated or discussed in a civilized manner. Given your past comments about saudi arabias efforts to press the sovereignty of qatar, do you see actions like this by the u. S. Congress as a similar effort to attack sovereign Foreign Policy . And what is your current level of support for hamas . 202 7488000 i have never supported hamas i have never supported hamas. Is followingpport a process and the results are analyzed by the people they are. The reconstruction of the homes of the people which was up before the war. Hospitals,s for the which are done carried out by are alreadyment, there. This is just to clear this stereotype about qatars support for hamas and the continuation of this narrative, which has no basis. What we are seeing regarding hamas is one of the results of the propaganda created against qatar. There, theanspired those referencing, were inspired by the same propaganda. What we see, we have no concern about this bill or any other action that will affect our relationship with the United States. In fullealing coordination and transparency with the u. S. What the very well contribution of qatar is to the Peace Process between darwin between the israelis and palestinians. Thank you. Thank you. Your excellency. In you concerned the turmoil Saudia Arabia saudi arabia, mainly to this situation with your country being extended for a greater. You concerned that the state department seems to be taking a neutral view in trying to get a solution to this. Risis, whether this position,ng the u. S. Expressed. En the president delegated the forces he carried out by the secretary of state. We appreciate the role of the United States in this. To come to the table and discuss what are their concerns. The blockading states keep refusing all of the offers, including the one of the president when he invited every body to camp david to meet and address the concerns between the countries. Accepted the items and the invitation of the president. Why the rejection is coming from the blockading states, we cannot age inem to come and end a dialogue. We see that this crisis is affecting the instability. E see the city to preserve on the other hand, we see another party who disrespected and disregarded the international community. Continue thisg to crisis and trying to create another crisis with what is happening with other countries. In conclusion, our position, we are committed to engage in dialogue. Havee last six months, we stated readiness to engage in a dialogue. From the other hand, you can count how many times they have mentioned the dialogue or mediation or restoration of the relationship. Samee there is the attitude is continuing. We are carrying on. But we see the important of Regional Security. For thishy we are open dialogue. When they are ready to engage, they will find us at the table. Two quick questions. One related to the demand that are asked of you. You suggested they it is not specific while it is specific, it is indicative of an attitude, suggesting this is indefinite. How do you see this playing out if there is nothing that qatar can do to satisfy them . Second. You referred to the blockading stay and talk about saudi arabia. You did not mention he gets. I am wondering if you are sensing any differences among the blockading states took what is the role of egypt . Egypt has taken a position that are different from its coalition. Is there a new want different . Regarding the demands, i just mentioned the concept of demand should not be there between countries, independent nations. Right. Ire concept is not that it is our concern. We can discuss it and engage in this. We have put this clear in different statements. Were going to look at it when they mentioned the principles, we responded right away that they were acceptable for everybody and qatar was willing to discuss what areas of engage. Ern and fighting terrorism, stopping the interference. Committed to civilized ways to solve this problem. They imposed the measures. They have collectively punished as they think. We cannot change them. Us, we are in the country which is subjected to this aggression. They need to come to the table and discuss their concerns. Egypt and the blockading states, for us, we see those measures carried out by the four countries mainly came from the gcc. We see the lines of communication, we have the leadership with the two countries. Regarding egypt, they have their own issues with qatar, which was before this. Those issues were there issues. Egypt, been telling since we supporting egypt. Coup. Demned the other countries condemned it. They consider this condemnation. But qatar is against them and they continue carrying on their with no tried to seek a solution. Considers it and is an important country in the region. They are a center of power in the arab region. We do not want to see any part of egypt collapse. We continue our investments there. It is in our interest to maintain egypts security and stability. And we have nothing against them. If they have an issue, we do not know about them. They have to address it in the same way and engage in dialogue. Cannot regarding iran, we need to understand other positions. Mentioned, between iran and are alloth of them right. We are small nations. Maintain the stability of our country first. This is our priority for our people. Manage ahy we have to better relationship. Withr two, we are sharing them. This presents a main source of income for the country. Fifth, when it comes to the difference between our region iran, we have and been confronting each other and syria to we been confronting. Ach other and a rock iraq we remain committed that yemen needs to comply with security and come to a resolution. But, we encourage the people of yemen to participate in a dialogue. Regarding saudi, it was part of their propaganda. This is the problem. The ambassador just returned a couple of months ago two the only land border we have. 90 of our food and medicine supplies coming through this land border. Iran, a bad relation with then it will be under a siege and we cannot get food nor medicine for our people and we cannot bring supplies for the products, export our which is our main source. Qatar present the energy of japan. To present the 25 of the energy of south korea, the United States allies. It is important to maintain the stability. All of those countries are relying on qatar and we tried our best not to affect those measures beingse imposed against us. That we havecused a strong relation with iran here we have no relation with iran. Because ofmunication the crisis. Thank you the blockading countries for blockading these guys. This is what we see. We see that most of the policies y have implemented do you see the u. S. Doing more to resolve this crisis the ecco could it do more . Do you feel like the u. S. Has your back in this dispute . Also, what does the significance of the u. S. Military presence in qatar, for your sense of stability how important do you see that . Regarding the u. S. Role in this crisis, we see the United States and the administration are putting a tremendous effort crisis. Or this unfortunately, it did not go anywhere yet. And the statement of the state secretary has been clear. It seems like there is one part of the crisis that is not willing to solve the problem. They cannot provide anything without both parties willingness. Our position on qatar, we are being expressing our willingness to everyone and we appreciate the both of our allies are playing with us. And important for the u. S. Our allies that this crisis sees very soon. It affects Regional Security and is undermining the importance of the gcc as an organization, a collective effort to fight any Common Threat among those countries. Important that the u. S. And the rest of the countries stay engaged to put a stop for this baseless christ was baseless crisis. There is one important point which i would like to highlight the we need to look at the ander of the cyber attack how it can create such a big crisis. This is important. Regarding the u. S. Forces and qatar, we appreciate the relationship we have and the partnership we have with the United States. Is not to protect qatar, it is to save the region. Is comingrotection from our own people and our own army. The presence of the u. S. And be in thees should calculation for anyone who wants be aink it will not guarantee against aggression. We have 11,002 12,000 that we have 11,000 two 12,000 troops. Is developingip well and grow one and the same pace and was not affected by the Current Crisis. We have the defense minister visit us. What we have found with russia, a Technical Corporation agreement. There is an agreement between qatar and russia to work on some areas of defense improvement together. Supplies for the United States and france. Thank you very much. I have a quick question. It talked about the usa being an accomplice to saudi arabia. Do you have any sense of the relationship between these. Mbitious conferences the relationship, how directing policy is whats driving some of , your sense of that. I cannot talk about their relationship as individuals. Im when i am in a position to talk about when i am in a position to talk about is how they accomplish together. One of them, which is affecting. Atar, the blackeyed the blockade. We see they are continuing the escalation together in full synchronization. The same in yemen. Alignmenttrong. Ogether are serving the initial objective. See they are working together and implementing those policies and we are happy when we see countries cooperating to implement policies for our region. But, those policies need to be right. They need to create stability versus destabilizing the region. It is not about the partnership, if it is good or not good. But, does it have a good result or not . What we see, there is no good result here. Good morning. Thank you for speaking to us. I had two questions. Easteferred to the middle briefly. I was wondering how uss the chances for peace at this moment, between israel and the palestinians. The other, i was curious as to what your assessment is or your governments assessment, of the Current Situation in iraq. Regarding the middle east, we there is something important being achieved. We hope it is sustained to serve the main purpose, which is the Peace Process. We also see a commitment from the u. S. Leadership, from the president himself, in order to have a deal between the palestinians and israelis. Any peace in favor of process that would take place which is based on the peace initiative, which has laid the ground for future relations between the israelis and arabs nations. See there is a growing chance for peace, because of the commitment of the United States taking the mediation, getting in , bute mediation effort also from the palestinians who this isengage in these from our dialogue with them. See the latest step being taken by the office is that the going to be helpful, because they need the lines of communication open with the palestinian authority. This office will be an instrumental tool for this medication. , we see theaq situation and are hopeful it will be stabilized. Is a rockve seen suffer for the last 14 years. Against theht establishment is coming to an end. We see this tremendous opportunity for development. And there is a tremendous thertunity to stabilize country and create a better life for the people there. What it needs, a collaboration between different nations in iraq build their and, investing in their economy. Everyone believes is and promising economy. Maybe a rock is one of the places we have been optimistic in the region, that it will florist. We hope it will continue in the same pace and development. ,ut it is important also important responsibility by the Iraqi Government to carry out a national reconsideration effort and integrate all of the people together. For one national objective. Other than that, they will continue the marginalization. This will create a worse problem in the future. Washington institute. Can youing understand why other people might have a different the leaderthat the of hamas, during the 2014 war, closee of the very relationship with the mayor. Can you see why people might see it differently . You Say Something about the gaza reconciliation and what is going on with pa coming back do you see by egypt . This as a positive development . Regarding our support to there is no support. I have been clear on this, that our support was to the people. There is a perception that others support hamas because we are having hamas in political office. It was at the request of the United States and has been opened for dialogue for. Ngagement for reconservation also, it has helped in our efforts to stop the different wars. The wars stopped for negotiations with hamas. For theof 2014 stopped same office. The platform to negotiate and make and engage with others. We do not endorse the activities. As you stated, with hamas. Qatar wants to support the palestinians. This is our only desire. This is something not in our console. Matterdealing with this in full transparency. E are supporting the people the people are explaining this perception are saying that, that to weaken we cannot do this. We have destabilized the city in order to not have any more city. Coming up from the there is a continuous effort ause of the presence of when any confrontation is happening, it is our job to diffuse. Might be, there another war. Can we afford another war yet there were . We have enough dealing with egypt. Does that mean that it up support hamas . Why he didnt accused us that we are supporting hamas from the other side. Conservation,rate it was a work that was four years. It was not something that was achieved in a week or two. Helped, we were helping these efforts, we were helping in bringing the parties closer because we believe it is critical. Isand nohere state with russia and no palestine without russia. We have to keep it to maintain stability and unite leadership tothe country if we want achieve a longlasting peace. Other than that, if we are not helping in the reconservation because we hate one party or favor another party, then we will keep the situation as it is, fragmented and we will never achieve peace and we will keep the subject for very high risk. Isis seems to be defeated or almost defeated on the ground. Russia and theg United States was a common enemy. It appears to be somewhat less threatening. The russians are more supportive than ever before. The United States has less of our priority in changing the regime in syria. What is going to happen . Concerned from what is going on in syria. The complicity of the syria the complexity of the serious situation, because of the different players, International Players in this crisis, is only making it compensated and difficult to be resolved. But we know we have to go back to the bases. The message that we have one army killed more than 500,000 people, displaced more than 12 Million People and we are with them. Inre was another threat syria. We diverted the focus from the tose of the people of syria fight dosh. I think the biggest mistake is that we did not address the two things together at the same level. Concern, that the people, especially the syrian children, were five years old when the resolution started. They have witnessed atrocities and the crimes they have been seeing, their families killed. They are seeing their sisters raped in front of them. They have been seeing this happening in front of them. What would we expect from those children when they grow up 10 years from now . How can we expect that we will see normal people who are not going to present another threat . The addressing of the issue of the Syrian People would have a longer term effect. Received that one of my colleagues from one of the blockading countries was talking about the blockade of qatar helping solve the situation. Actually the country. The blockade of qatar is not helping resolving the issue of syria. Is the change of policies terminating the crimes to have been standing for for a long time. Issue, we need the syria we need to look at it seriously. Because we are trying to present the biggest the best future. We need to restore stability. But we need to hold all of the criminals accountable for all of the crimes they have committed. Otherwise, we will have those issues repeated by a different dictators or different people. , to do whatem is you want to do, you have to force the government in syria to become more flexible. The reason they are not so flexible about their own future is because a rally in support. If you are talking about who is they have a radiance, they have now some militias from iraq and the russian air force. Also, you are talking about finding a solution. How do we persuade the russians to become somewhat less otherwise, what is everybodyappen . Needs to understand the future concern of the current positions in syria. Otherwise, we are going to pay the price and it is going to be a high price. Whether it is russia or the United States or ron, everybody is going to pay a big price for this. That is why we need to put our interest aside and think about the issue of syria and the people. Whattions . Happened that to the quaking never ive . Is it valid see attacking from blockade. Ountries and we heard the gcc summit will be postponed indefinitely. . How long willit regardinged . The mediation effort, we are thankful for his efforts. With oureen in touch brothers in kuwait to find a solution. Mentioned,etary there are two parties of the conflict and one of them is not willing to solve the problem. Then, even if anyone will calm us, theable, for. Ediation will remain is trying to restore the relation together. Cannot now, they cannot force others to come and solve the problem. Even if they will come, they will come in good faith. Know if the Kuwaiti Initiative is still alive. We cannot know if a mediation effort would be led by them. Important an organization. Blockade, after this can the gcc operate with the same efficiency as before . I think there is some time needed to rebuild the trust which has been lost because of this crisis. But, we also believe there is an to address all of the relationship and do the proper strengthening of government of the gcc as an aganization in order to put proper arbitration mechanism in place and enforce mechanisms for those decisions. So all of the things we are lacking, we have to look carefully. Left question for me. One country we did not ask you about. There was another country what is the continuous humanitarian crisis, what we see is there is a continuation of a stalemate of the political process. Qatar supported and still supports the restoration of the Government Back to yemen in order to operate from there. We that does not mean that continue this war without any finding. That is why we see the parties are not ready to engage or willing to engage in dialogue and are willing to continue with get the yemeni people, those are the people who are paying the price of this continuous policy. I think wetted have to go back to the basis of dialogue and bring the parties together and engage in a serious dialogue which will result in an outcome of stability. There is a procession perception in washington. Is it helping to find peace in the yemen . We see the u. S. Remaining with the same policies. We are condemning the human rights violations, which is also our position. Contradiction any in both ways. Both u. S. Or qatar or the other , they allarties should go back to the table. So we do not see this deviation in the position. Thank you. A meetingng to have with secretary tillerson. We will see if we find that conversation into thing. One announcement. There will be a minister speech and for mueller formal remarks. Thank you so much