Doha: We Are Aligned with the "Quintet" and Do Not Endorse a Presidential Name

Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz al-Khalifi, stated, "There is good alignment in objectives and general ideas" between Qatar and the other members of the quintet committee concerning Lebanon. "As for the names of the presidential candidates, I would like to clarify that the State of Qatar does not prefer to endorse a specific name." In an interview with "Al-Mudun," he called for an urgent and binding resolution from the UN Security Council to immediately cease fire and allow aid to enter the Gaza Strip. He noted that Qatar was one of the first countries to call for an urgent official international investigation into Israel's crimes against Palestinians, including targeting hospitals and schools. Al-Khalifi revealed that the Qatari mediation, which last month achieved the first prisoner exchange agreement between the United States and Venezuela, is not yet concluded. It is still ongoing and will include important steps towards implementing an electoral roadmap in Venezuela this year.